Hey, what's up, everyone? Welcome to another episode of the Sounders FC podcast. Myself, Steve Zakwani, Brad Evans is here, Keeley's here too, and the Sounders coming off a... Big win. It felt like a formality, to be honest, because we knew, kind of like, unless something went catastrophically wrong, we're going to be in the next round. But you still got to be professional, still got to do the job.
Credit to Antigua, played with a lot of pride and competed but the sound has got the job done. We'll talk about that. And then obviously we're going to preview the first away league game of the season to Salt Lake, who lost last night. I was watching the end of that game in the 96th minute on a penalty kick where it was a panenka. Couldn't believe it. Before all of that...
We saw the MLS debut. We spoke so much about home opener, home opener, home opener. And I remember Leaf driving home from that game. And it's been a long time since a draw has really felt like a defeat. That game has been 4-0. It should have been the most comfortable win.
Everything we ask them to do is the home opener, use the crowd, come out firing. The team did it. One of the best attacking performances I've seen in a very long time. It was very fluid. You saw the depth that Schmetz has at his disposal at use now. I mean, Tim Ream.
I played against Tim Ream his rookie year, so he's going back that far on that same pitch. Seeing him at left back and seeing Georgie, I mean, I knew you can't do that to Tim Ream. I don't know what Dean Smith was thinking. Georgie's going to run at you all day. The Sounders did everything right. And two really bad moments, not even on goal. I think the first goal was worse. It's a free header inside the six-yard box in a game where you're so far in control and so up. I mean, I saw...
Dean Smith's post-game press conference and he ripped his team apart. He was like, we were terrible. They were terrible. He's like, they were. And yet they left it with 2-2. So your thoughts on that? Because for me, and I didn't really follow 2-4. I knew Schmitz probably might not.
because he started a game on Wednesday to prepare for, so you're not going to really rip the team as the first game of the season. But as a coaching staff, you've got to be like, we've done everything right. That's the kind of game you come out, put a statement in, and yet we're leaving it with two goals that should be prevented.
Yeah, look, I went into the press conference after the game with Schmetz and clearly disappointed. And when you're in that room and you you can just feel the disappointment, even from the you know, the the reporters asking the questions and he comes in and it's like.
you know look we're a good team and we gave it away tonight um i was watching from the press box mostly that game in the first half and within 20 minutes i was like this charlotte team's terrible they were just bad and credit credit to the sounders though right they stuck to the game plan they did everything that they needed to do except finish them and when you get those moments and you want to win a championship you have to be an absolute killer
I think Schmidt said, should I have made subs earlier in that game against Charlotte? I think that's one thing that he kind of was going through his head in the press conference and making a couple subs a little bit earlier.
to really put Charlotte away and keep the pressure on them. But I think from everyone's standpoint, we thought that the Sounders were going to walk away with that one 2-1 easily and just kind of keep the ball and knock it around. I was a little bit more surprised with that much time that the Sounders didn't say, let's lock this thing up and keep five in the back.
and just stay at home. All in all, they played well. And then they rolled that into the game, the midweek game in the Champions League second leg, which was pretty much a foregone conclusion. But, Areola again on the score sheet. Dele Vega, again, finding goals as well. It's been, I mean, I can't remember the last time we've had such an optimistic feel to a start of the season where there's new pieces. Everyone seems to be playing somewhat well. Yeah, I think, I mean, last night wasn't...
I think they got what they wanted to get out of it. The minutes they wanted to get the minutes from the guys that did contributions that they did. I didn't think it was ever going to be in doubt. But as you said, you're looking ahead now. You do have the next round. You've got probably a tough trip.
Salt Lake team that's licking their wounds after being knocked out. Utah's never an easy place to go. That's going to be tough. You alluded to line up there. What does he do on the weekend? Because he's kind of shown his MLS line up and he's shown his Champions League line up and they've been different. just on the wings especially and maybe the rotations there but yeah what does he do especially him again yeah
Yeah, I don't know at this point. I think it's going to be chilly in Salt Lake. I mean, it's going to be 31 for a low, so it's going to be a cold game, but it's not going to be raining, which is good. Schmetz in press conferences has been really quick to praise his fitness group in terms of load, and I think he's really sticking to that. I think that's why we can't really predict the lineup just yet, because...
They're going through this whole protocol where guys are supposed to get certain minutes at a certain point. Paul Rothrock is coming off an injury. Are his numbers where they need to be? Is Jesus ready to go? Are his numbers where they need to be? And Schmetz is kind of sticking to that. Last night was an opportunity for Jesus to get, you know, 70 minutes, and it was an opportunity for...
pedro to get some significant minutes once again but i go into the press conference last night and the first question was about pedro and schmetz was quick to be like listen that's that's what we expect from him his ceiling is extremely high But the discipline is lacking. Where he should be positionally on the field needs work still. So credit to Schmitz for kind of sticking to his guns and saying, you still have to prove it to me.
that you're going to help this team win at all costs, and it's not about you. It's not about you getting sold this summer. It's about this team winning, and that's what's going to get you sold. Can you get two goals and play defensively how we need you to play and tactically? I think the same thing goes for Jesus. I talked to Chance Rye last night at my indoor game, and he's like, look, I don't care. I don't think Schmetz cares who the player is. You're going to have to prove it.
It doesn't matter if it's a Jesus. He's going to have to come in here and say, you have to prove that you deserve to be on the field no matter how much you're making. So predictability on this lineup, there's going to have to be some rotation. I think. It's a guessing game for me at this point. I think we're still trying to figure out who's 100% fit, and then we can kind of go from there. But I expect the same defensive team, defensive shape. And then...
Man, your guess is as good as mine in the front four. Yeah. Yeah, it's going to be tough because I don't think... If you could pick a place to go on the road before a Champions League game, it would probably, the two places you'd avoid would be maybe Denver and Utah, just the altitude and how tough the games are there. So it's not the easiest place to go before. in terms of the output you're going to have to put in there. If it's a Salt Lake team that shows up and plays well, it could be tough.
I don't know. Jordan got his rest last night. He did, so that's good. I would be shocked if him and Albert aren't playing. I'd be surprised, especially Albert going back. to Salt Lake, I think he's going to want to play. I don't think he's going to want to sit this one out. What's around them? I mean, this is a game where can Georgie do what he did in this game? Different altitude, different that. Is he someone better off the bench at that point? I think Rough Rock probably starts.
because I think Arreola gets the midweek at that point. So I think maybe, but it's tough to say, but it just makes a difference. So maybe a few months ago, a year ago, we were even able to have these kinds of discussions of problems where the team's not just picking itself or you're not looking down the bench and really struggling for you.
bring in that the level doesn't seem to be changing much and i think that that's probably um the biggest positive in all of this but i do think we'll get a rough rock start jordan albert um the right side i'm a bit more skeptical of probably not de la vega um
between Ferreira, Georgie and the other poor Arreola. We'll see. But yeah, guessing game. It's very tough to predict. We don't know much about Salt Lake. Obviously, it's very early in the season. I said it went on the Champions League. They had... A 20-goal-a-year scorer, he's left. He's gone to San Jose, which, again, we'll talk to Keith Kostrigan shortly about the Cruz Azul game and also kind of his thoughts on some of the things we're seeing within MLS. Salt Lake, you know, when we...
They were the, for me, like the hardest thing to play against just because they used to have that weird formation. They would play where they would invert their entire midfield. It was like, I can't remember now, but Beckerman. Will Johnson was in there. Ned Grabovoy. Ned Grabovoy, Javi Morales. They had Andy Williams at one point. And Spindler would go stand by the corner flag on the left. Samaril.
top. It was just like, there was Jason Christ's teams that Garth helped to build. They were very tough. They're not quite the same. Tough to know what to expect, but just... We can still talk on the general conditions of going to Utah and having that game. And they got smashed 4-0 by San Jose last week. Yeah, at San Jose with a new coach. San Jose put it on, but it was only 1-0 up until the 70th minute, and then the wheels just fell off.
for for salt lake yeah and that could be a lay a layover from their um conca calf playing at herediano down in in costa rica and then they know they have to come back home who knows so it's a team that's had a little bit of change um but they don't i mean you lose a 20 goal score from your team you're always you're always going to be lacking and you have to replace them with something at some point so
But we've gone in there before and thought we were going to get a result. And then for some reason, that Salt Lake team just clicks and everything falls their way on that pitch and in front of that crowd. So it's their home opener. It's going to be a tough place to play. They've made some decent moves.
Again, I don't think it's a team that's going to scare really anyone in the West, but it's a tough place to play at the end of the day. And you're only coming off, you're playing Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, and then Wednesday again. it's just it's a tough part of the schedule for the sounders but the team has done it before doing open cup and doing champions league when it used to be a little bit later in the season for us so
I think this is a game that the Sounders have to win, and if they do, they're going to be feeling really confident. It'll be a seven-point week for them. And then I think you're kind of off and flying and feeling confident against a good Cruz Azul team next Wednesday.
you know up top i don't know if they have what they did last year um you know diego luna's playing with a face mask it's like the worst thing oh jaqua did jaqua played with the mask i think someone else anyways it's the worst thing to deal with while you're playing and so he's a top player he should have um he should have scored
against san jose watching the highlights but i mean ruiz still mans the midfield and then wolf starting out wide for them we'll see if they make some changes based on last night's result but again a game that the sounders should win and feel confident going in there that even with rotation
if they play their game, that there's at least two goals in it for them. Yeah, no, I agree. So it'll be a big one. Sounders will give the broadcast info all of that on the other side. Now we're going to be joined by Keith Koshtegen here shortly and Cruz Azul. all things MLS, and he's someone who's been able to cover Lionel Messi, so we'll get his thoughts on the gulp being over here in MLS.
No, I'm so happy that we're joined by Keith Costigan. Obviously, no stranger to Sounders FC fans. No stranger to fans of soccer across America in general. We're going to look a bit ahead with you, Keith. I know you cover the Mexican League quite a bit. You're familiar with that league.
The Sounders took care of business. What's awaiting them in the next round is Cruz Azul. I want to kind of ask you from two perspectives. One is that particular matchup just in general. But two also, Brad and I were speaking a couple of weeks ago. we're still figuring out if that gap has officially closed. If there's no more, you know, League MX is a bit ahead, MLS is a bit behind. Because when we played for sure a few years ago, there definitely was a gap.
But I feel like it has been closing. And if it has, I wonder what your thoughts are on that in general. But first, this matchup, Sounders, Cruz Azul, what's in store for us? Yeah, I think if you look at the business Cruz Azul have done over the last couple of years.
they're a team like me and business like they want to be a challenger they want to they want to they want to fight for titles so in that sense i think you look at the players you look at the staff and you say it's going to be a really tough matchup the other part of that though i would say is They haven't clicked yet. Like, Jakimakis was the big signing last year. He had some goals, but they fell to Club America in the playoffs. No shame in that. America are probably the best team in the region.
But then they lose their manager. Then they bring in another manager. I thought one of the great stats looking up towards this game was since Smets has come in, Cruz Azul has had 11 different managers. So... They're not a club that stands on ceremony too long. They make signings. They bring in a manager. They want results. They're a good team. They have the potential to be an excellent team. I mean, Matty Bogus, we watched them in MLS, I thought.
One of the very best in MLS last year. He hasn't clicked yet. He's only played three or four games. They have Charlie Rodriguez in midfield. Really, really, really good on the ball. Really kind of schemer. I think we would have seen him. We played Monterey a few years ago. They have goals in the team in Jakimakis and Gabriel Fernandes. So there's a lot of quality there, but I don't think this team is the Finnish product yet. They're not an America yet. They're not a maybe Tigres yet.
It's a very winnable draw, but it's still a tough draw for Saunders. And the gap between the leagues? I don't know. You guys came up with it. What was your final answer? It's tough for me. I think that leads into my next question is because will we ever really know with the way that the two schedules are set up, like who's the superior team?
I mean, the Sounders were able to win a CONCACAF Champions League a few years ago. And, you know, you advance through that tournament and then you're facing Liga MX teams that are at, you know, the finale of their season that should be playing their best. And the Sounders are only, you know...
10 to 12 games into their season at that point. And right now, you have a Mexican league side in Cruz Azul that's, you know, going to be 10 games in after this, who should be clicking at this point. But you have a Sounders team that's only played two games at this, right? So... Will we ever really know who's the superior team unless we're on the same schedule and we're playing each opponent at the same part of the season, which you would think would be at their best? I would say...
I would say the way you pose the argument tells me it's progress. Because if we're saying we don't know, a few years ago, I feel like we did know. So I would go to the starting 11s and say there's no doubt the gap is. Like, we've closed that gap. Like, we're there. But when I did an America game in preseason against Inter Miami, and their second 11 was so good. And I'm like, some of the top Mexican teams have so much depth.
Where it's more difficult to do that on MLS. So I definitely think on any given day, any MLS team can compete. But if it goes beyond that, if you lose two or three players, the Club Americas in this world have the ability to... plug somebody else in i don't know if we're there yet i don't know if squad depth in mls is at the level but i i think the way you answered it was perfect we may not know there may be like periods where mls is dominant there may be periods where wow
league mx is coming back maybe that's best maybe that's best for like building that rivalry um but i i definitely think from you know seven eight years ago where the gap was quite evident i i think it's definitely closed for sure
Yeah, I think you bring a good point about depth. That's something we've been talking about quite a bit. I feel like, you know, you were here for a big part. I mean, you were the voice of a big part of the Nico Lodero, Rui Diaz era for the Sounders. I feel like that's well and truly over now.
the fact that they've won, but you've actually bought in different replacements where the team's going to play differently. The two notable ones being Jesus Forever and Paul Arriola. And I think the Sounders are one of the teams in MLS now where you can have question marks about who might be starting at any given week. without the talent dropping off. You know, he's rotated already between...
league and league cup game, especially in that front four. I think Jordan plays, Albert plays, but Ferreira, Paul Ruffrock, Paul Arriola, Georgie, that's up for grabs. De La Vega's in there too. They can go 14, 15 deep. I think they can. So what's your thoughts on the business?
business this off-season, and it just was time to move on from Club Legends. It just was, I think. Yeah, I thought it was incredible business. I've heard people say, you've got to go out and sign this massive... I'm like... You go to Europe, you go to South America, there's no guarantee. Because, you know, if the player that you want in South America is probably wanted in Europe, you might lose that. So you're going...
you've got to be really, really good about it. And the Sounders have been in the past, but there's a real element of danger. I think the Sounders sign Paul Arriola, who, when he's at his best, is very, very good in MLS and in Jesus Ferreira, who can be top.
A couple of moments last night where he picked out what ball to play. He didn't release the first ball. He weighed away to play the second ball wide. And I'm like, man, he's such a good player. So I give the club massive credit in terms of saying, hang on a minute.
There's players in this league now that could be available that we know will add to this group. The chemistry, the culture, everything. They went out and did it. And I mean, the proof is in the fact that every other club you talked to was like. Sounders did some really good deals. I was surprised that Dallas made it happen. You know, Dallas go out and get Lucho Costa. Maybe that was part of it. But I think the Sounders...
have put themselves in a position to challenge in the West. And what you said is correct. The squad, to do it, you have to bring in players and you have to bring through players. So Rothrock and Minungu coming through is a perfect storm. You're not just signing players, you're creating players as well. So I think Craig, Craig was kind of quiet, laying in the cover a little bit, watching everybody throw punches. And then he came out and landed. So I'll text Craig every now and again.
Because we'll mention things in the broadcast and stuff. Craig has done a really good job. And I think with the squad, I think Smets is one of the best man managers in the league. And he'll have the ability to... to mix and match when needed. So if I'm a Sounders fan, I'm really excited. If I'm a Euro snob idiot fan, oh, I want a big, then, you know, you're never going to be happy, whatever. So, but I'm really happy with the business done.
You've covered the West Coast Conference significantly. Are there any teams that have kind of stuck out to you so far that we should be aware of? I mean, we go into Salt Lake this weekend. They made some... Pretty big offseason moves in terms of getting rid of players. I'm not sure that they've really bolstered their lineup. That was a dangerous side last year. I think we've seen a lot of turnover in the West and some surprises, right? In San Jose, making big moves.
Who are your top three in the West? I mean, realistically, you don't have to put the Sounders in that position just yet. But if there's three other teams in the West that you're like, okay, I've seen them make moves. I've seen them on the weekly basis. Even though it's early, you've seen enough of them. I think Sanders and LAFC are top two. I don't think there's any doubt. LAFC under coming in is like a long signing to the summer. That allows them to get away from him.
talented player turkish international i i think griezmann's going to end up in lafc i i think that happens this summer so they're ready to make that move they bring in abobasi who It's very rare a move is good for club and good for player, like they both make out of it. I think Abobacile in San Jose was that. He comes in, he's looked lively, he's mobile, he's intelligent with his link-up play.
And they bring in Igor Jesus in the center midfield, who's going to be an upgrade. LAFC are absolutely going to be there as well. Beyond that too, I think it's open season. I don't think Galaxy are near what they were. Paints allowed for six weeks, puts them behind the eight ball a little bit. I think they're going to make a nine move. Funny enough, I'd heard they were maybe interested in Joseph Martinez before San Jose got him.
so that brings me to san jose i watched san jose opening weekend and i'm like man bruce arena's just got that potion like he just comes in he pours a little potion drink this they forget about who they are and they become a team like he is a legend in this league he he better be treated like that um they're going to be really really competitive this year and if they're there or thereabouts they'll make moves again in the summer that's the kind of club they're going to be
But outside of LAFC and the Sounders, I don't see Portland challenging. I don't think, you know, maybe I haven't watched their DP enough, their new DP enough. I just don't think they're there. San Diego, great first win. But it's difficult to maintain that. You know, I think they'll be good. Outside of those two, I think it's a free-for-all. I think those two will separate. And if I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably pick Sanders. For now, but that may change in the summer.
Yeah. One thing that we touched on there as well is something we didn't see at all before in this league was big moves within the league. And I kind of want to get your thoughts on that because, for example, like... Again, one of my favourite coaches and teams to watch has been Cincinnati under Pat Noonan. I thought they were the perfect team for Lucho Acosta. Then he wants out. Then he ends up in Dallas.
Where if I'm thinking as a player, for me, Cincinnati-Dallas, I'm staying in Cincinnati. But I don't know what the reasons are, right? But you see a player of that caliber moving. Evander was probably one of the closest with Pucho next to Messi for MVP. He leaves Portland. You're seeing really his move. You said I'm agreeing. Dallas letting Arreola and Ferrer both go to a Western Conference rival. I mean...
Ferrer is young. He can be here for another 10 years if he wants to. So why are we seeing this change? I know there's more money in the game now, but we're seeing like really big players not stay put and move within the league, not just out of the league. Yeah, I liken it to this. Like when I saw...
especially Lucho, leaving Cincinnati and then he's like at Dallas. And I'm like, I mean, for you, you're an Arsenal fan. For me, that's like Saka leaving Arsenal and signing for like Leicester. I'm being like, yes. Agreed. I'm like, but the fact is... Obviously, since he said, we're not going to pay you this, and that gets around the league and Dallas are saying, we would pay him that. We would. And that's what it basically comes down to. It's someone in the league.
Like before it used to be uniform almost. The league is like, here's where we're all together. That's the price. That's where you're going to pay. Probably to the detriment of some players' contracts. Like where you're like, oh man, I know this club over here would pay me more, but the league is...
is setting the standard i think that's what's driving the deals i i do i think it's like evander knows well since you're like look we would pay him a lot more we would and then paul and they're like well fair enough if you want to do that we can we can go somewhere else so that's what's driving it
I think it's fun because it's, you know, talking points in the offseason. It's huge. You know, I don't know. I don't know how I feel sometimes about like Mark Delgado leaving. I know not for money for like Galaxy for LAFC. I still think you have to have rivalries. Imagine Rui Diaz leaving Sanders and going for Portland. That would have been like, no, you just can't do that. Can you do that, Steve?
Yeah, Steve did it. I'm wondering why that came up. Imagine playing for one and commenting for the other. I don't even know. At the same time. I like it. I think it's exciting. And I think it's clubs recognizing value and going against each other, which is a positive because one team may say, no, we don't see it. Another team is like, no, we absolutely do.
I think it's a positive. Only time will tell if those deals work out. But if I'm Cincinnati, I'm not betting against them. They are late. Denke, they're forward last night, watching him play, scored again. They get Evander in. They're going to be a problem this year in the East, for sure. Circling back to Liga MX. Your kind of final observations of what the Sounders need to be prepared for next week. It's a home game first, and then they have to finish out.
in Mexico afterwards. And we've gotten results here, right? We've beaten Santos here 2-1, and then we go down there and lose 6-1 in Santos. So what do the Sounders have to do to win this series? I think Steve played in that as well. So I feel like you're having a dig at Steve. I did too. I played in that game too. We were all there. Yeah, we were all there. Part of the misery. I think you can go for it. I think if you look at just the names in Crucisel.
you think of like, man, they're prolific. They're not there yet. They're not there yet. They may find it, but they're not prolific in front of goal yet. So I think you really have to go for them in that first game. And I do think...
I do think there's defensive frailties in this group. So if you go down there, if Sanders went down there with a 2-0 lead, I would feel comfortable Sanders were going to progress. You know, I think keeping that clean sheet's important. I think they're open on the counterattack.
Again, I think Bogus will find his feet there very early in his reign. You hope that's after the Sounders see him. But I don't think you need to look at the individual names in this group and go, they're really good going forward. They're not there yet.
there's still a there's still a work in progress still trying to find that like right formation that right dynamic so i think i mean i'm saying it today in two weeks it may be different they're in decent form in the league but not really prolific in front of goal They're a good Liga Mekki's team who can challenge in the playoffs, but they're not one of the elite for me. So it's a very winnable game. But I would say taking care of business at home is massive. If you go down there with a lead.
and you're bold enough to be aggressive on the counter, I think the Sounders get it done. Love it. Keith, last one before we let you go. This is my own curiosity. You're one of the national voices of the league. You get to see many teams. A team you've covered a lot because I watch a lot of the broadcast. I'm just curious. Into Miami.
I don't miss a game of theirs because I think we're watching probably the best player our sports see in the final years. I watched a game he played in the Champions League away to Kansas below freezing temperature. If there's any player in history who's earned the right to maybe, hey, I'm going to sit this one out, coach. Yeah. Maybe him. But he was there front and center, playing, chasing, arguing with refs, you know, and scored a great goal. When you're covering him.
Obviously, he's lost his speed for the most part. He's not dribbling five guys like he used to, and he's getting a goal or assist every single game. I've talked to players who've played against him now in the league. They said, listen, around the 18-yard box, he's automatic. It's perfection.
He walks around, you get around the box, it's a goal. So I'm curious, as you're covering him, because you're a tactician too, what makes him succeed in a league, a very athletic, physical league, when he's not that strong? By the way, you guys going to let him away with Akili Brad? He did this with Golden State Warriors. He finds the great team and then he starts. Are you coming to Lakers now? Are you coming to Lakers? Listen, my don't just judge, he's on the way. Yes, yes.
No, it's a great question because I watch him in the game. I do. I find myself, you're watching the field. His game understanding is just next level. I'll watch moments where he decides to stay really high. And I'm like, he's staying out of the game. Like he's gone really, really high. And then within a minute, something happens in that zone. The other day they were down a man and he just started dropping into deeper pockets. You saw the assist, his ability to.
You know, people always say you lose a yard of pace, but the change of pace is still massive. His ability to get it and get a defender to bite and then just separate for a yard is still there. And his eye for a pass is, I get chills. thinking about it, you know something is going to happen. And what you said about playing at Kansas, for me, separates me. Messi wants to play every game, every minute. We talked to...
Mascherano the other day. What an incredible guy he is, by the way. And he said, look, Messi guides us and he wants to play. So he played 90 in Kansas, 90 again at the weekend, starts the second leg. He's a competitor. He's the kid. You have to call in at 11 o'clock at night. You got to get off the field or whatever. I love that about him. He's the greatest for me of all time. I love that you're tuning in because when I don't, when I'm not calling the game.
i'm rushing to watch his games as well because we don't know how much longer we're going to have him for you know you know soak it in enjoy it while we have him yeah exactly i think real quick i i mean you have to liken it to lebron yeah i mean lebron's 40 40 plus now and still doing it on a on a nightly basis so it begs the question like we all know that lebron's spending what a million dollars a year on his body yeah i mean i don't even spend like a thousand yeah
DoorDash doesn't count, dude. Keith, can you ask somehow to figure out how much this guy is spending on just personal wellness and what he's doing? I would love to know. Because LeBron's been very open about it. And I think it would be a fantastic sit down with him and just figure out what is he doing to stay at 37.
i mean it's different than basketball right you're running maybe two two a mile and a half two miles in a game with with subs but he's still covering he's got to be covering five to six
five to six miles every single game still. And it'll be 38 this year. And I agree. And I would throw Cristiano in there. I mean, because... Yeah, of course. I'm sure it's well above. Yeah, he scored ahead. How are these two still... scoring goals no matter where you're playing they're still hungry still motivated ridiculous
Yeah, but I'll be curious, Keith, if you ever do get that insight, because I feel like with Messi, we don't get to see a lot of the behind the scenes. We don't. You don't get to that level without being a beast in the training room, in the weight room. He's doing something.
Yeah, it's the body. Like, you look at LeBron and you go... And Cristiano. And you look at Cristiano, but Messi looks like a normal dude. Like, he does. Like, he just has that, like, normal guy look, and you're like, all right. And he's still, he's an elite athlete.
Like it's almost, it's almost more annoying. So you're like, oh man, this guy's legit. Yeah, I love that. And before we do that, you go, I'm going to give you a shout out. Fantastic season by Liverpool. I know that we'd have some, yeah. And then Mo Salah, I mean. I've been a Terry Henry guy as long as you know, this may be the single individual best season anyone's time. I don't think anyone beats Henry longevity-wise. Yeah.
But what's Salah's doing this year? I mean, we're talking single season, at least, Messi-Ronaldo levels from 10 years ago. Like, he's reaching that level. Yeah, it's crazy. I've enjoyed watching it. I'm not ready to... I'm that fan who's like, we need to keep winning.
because i'm still nervous i i'll stick there if it was city chasing you i'd say but it's not city this year yeah yeah you guys have been a lucky also with the injuries but yeah salah watching him the confidence he's had in trying things that comes from a manager too we all know that like a manager has to give you that as well um now it's it's been a joy to watch long may continue and uh and hopefully we get some silverware
Steve's got his Liverpool jersey on underneath his sweatshirt. I just love winners, man. Steve, we love it. We appreciate it, man. Hopefully we'll see you in Seattle for a game soon. But yeah, thank you for joining us, man.
Good stuff there from Keith. As always, really, really good to have him on. He's someone who, I mean, he's, I don't know there's many people like him in this country who watch as much soccer as he does a lot of it for work he does cover a lot of teams but he's just also just a very big soccer lover and obviously he knows the sound is really well um having covered us um first time for several years so great to get his perspective and we'll see how those games
um for odout now the sound is this week um you've seen it's all over social media email blast press releases um doing kind of a first for the club at least um where we're really focusing on the fan first and how can we make the game the experience um and really ramp it up and up stick up a little bit um brad you have the details on officially what the club has done and i hope everyone who can
and is eligible to take advanced jobs it should and everyone who's listening who maybe you've been to a ton of games you know how cool it is spread the word get the word out there because it's something that people should experience yeah look it's all about getting new fans in seats and fans
Some have family some don't you're a single and you just want to come out and you've never been out to a game before So this is the first match on us program. So it's free admission for first-time fans, which is which is really really cool So anybody listening if you've got anyone in the neighborhood friends
family that the barrier of entry is maybe a little bit shaky. I think this provides an opportunity to get in the mix and get them in to see a Sounders game. And then we hope that it leads to more Sounders fans for life. I just think it's a great initiative for any fan that's listening or a friend of a listener to get into the stadium. So it's more than just tickets, but they'll help you choose the right seats.
If they have interest in supporters groups, it'll be an introduction to all the supporters groups. If you've got a family with young kids, you know, it can be introduced to like the Sammy squad and just some really cool stuff for your first game.
which will just be super fun so it's at 11 of the 17 matches so there's plenty of opportunities so if you've got someone let them know send them online to the sounders website scarf you know all the stuff to make it a great experience for your first game so it's it's actually a really cool program and i think for us it's about getting new fans in the door right um did an autograph signing last night for an hour and a half and
It's a lot of season ticket holders from 2009. And my experience has been we have fans that were in their 30s and then all of a sudden they had kids and it's tough to get in the stadium. But now they're playing on a soccer team together.
what was it like going to a game instead of just talking about it you can tell them hey the sounders are going to hook you up with a free ticket to a game and you'll get to experience it because oftentimes it's just getting in the door and it immediately makes you a fan In 2009, that's how it was. They went to the first game. We won.
And then all of a sudden we had 30,000 people in the stadium the whole entire year because they were addicted to what the product was on the field. And I think that this team is exciting, just like 2009, enough to say, I want to be a part of this for the future.
Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, yesterday I was at an elementary school in Renton. They did like a Black History Month assembly and I was there. And, you know, maybe ages five to 11. And, you know, who's been to a Sounders game? And half the hands go up. Like a lot of them have.
half who haven't but who would like to go to Sandor's game every hand goes up and so there definitely is that yeah and then they're the young fan base you know especially the 2026 World Cup coming before that we've got the FIFA Club World Cup
These kind of experiences we're going to be having throughout the season. I mean, you've got to try and take advantage of it. So I think this thing is amazing. And I think it's important to say it's more than just a ticket to a game. It's the whole game day experience. You're going a lot more than just watching a match. You're going to get a ton more that comes with it.
Obviously, we're essentially one organization, two clubs. Exciting kit. I love kit releases. And there's an exciting kit release that just came out today. A lot of you probably have seen it by now. But this is for the rain. And they'll be wearing, the official name is the Rise Kit.
the rise kit r-i-s-e the rise kit and really just a tribute to ambition you know rising up to um to challenges rising up to stepping up to the plate that kind of connotation and also to the community i'm rising up for your community and which
The Reign do a fantastic club. I mean, that's one. You can never look at that club and question anything that takes place in the community. It's a very community-focused club, as the Sounders have been as well. It's inspired by massive iconic monuments and landmarks.
marks all across seattle um if you take a really close look there you'll see that kind of weaved into um into this kit design so it's to do with the rise purpose platform which you know is the club's intention to advance equity for all in play and in life
protect the Saint-Lucy and then champion and affirm the power of girls, women and gender diverse people in general, but also as it comes in relation to sports and things of that nature. So that kit, obviously you'll see the players wearing it on the pitch.
but it's great that you can kind of get the backstory and the meaning as you're wearing it in the stands, wearing it around, going shopping, whatever the case may be, around the community to support because it represents a lot more than just a jersey you're wearing for a game. So that's the Rise kit. And, you know, follow the range.
social channels, Rain website for all the up-to-date information on how you can get involved and get one of those for yourself. I'll definitely be getting one. Love it. Yeah. So back-to-back weeks, you've had great kit releases. So this is great. Yeah. I think with kit releases, it's always something that... You can just wear on a daily basis if you go to work and not feel like you're sticking out like a sore thumb. I have a Brazil Ronaldo kit, and the only place I wear it is snowboarding.
Just because I want people to know where I am on the mountain, if I'm ahead or behind, they can easily spot me. With this one, with both kits, right? It's one that's kind of like a daily driver that you're supporting your team community, but also, you know. you're not sticking out like a sword they're both just so clean they're so clean and good looking so um that that is really cool to see both kits are awesome really good so make sure to check those out all right sounders
So, like, it's a bit on the early side for us. What's the broadcast timing in for? I think it's on the early side. Yeah, it's a 1.30 kickoff in the afternoon, afternoon game. 9.50 KGR AM and Apple TV MLS season pass. So there's a bunch of different ways to now access MLS season pass and Apple TV. Check out our website for more info or reach out to any of us and we can, you know, access.
watching sounder soccer because it's a lot of fun this year. And like the guys have talked about, this team is really exciting and worth tuning in on. Yeah, and if you've got any questions while you're cruising out, Keely, hit them with the phone number, and they can just call in, leave a message. You can just say hello, too.
Yeah, have questions for Brad and Steve. Leave a voicemail at 206-867-8545. And seriously, you'll get your voice on the show. It'll be a lot of fun. Be nice. Be kind. Remember, we are people too. But yeah, it'll be a lot of fun and we'll answer your questions. So on that phone number, call and leave your voicemail.
um yeah question comment whatever it is we're going to get really get that going and then um as the shows go on season goes on we'll collect them and then we'll start to answer them and um yeah it'd be great to kind of hear from you directly i think that's a really really um cool way to get involved and make your voices
heard as well but that's it from us Sounders at Salt Lake you have the broadcast information game two of the MLS season the games are coming thick and fast right after that it's a turnaround massive massive Champions Cup game against Cruz Azul which will be home first leg but before that we'll take care of business down in sandy utah and so we'll be back next week recapping both those games and then reviewing um the upcoming games you