Coming to you live from our Elliot Avenue studios of Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly with your host Jackson Felts. Good evening, everybody, Welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feltz here for the next hour talking Sounders FC. Soucker here on ninety three point three KJRFM. Good to have you with us as we spend this next hour looking ahead to the final match of the regular season for the Sounders that comes up this Saturday out in
Saint Louis against the newest team in MS. Busy, busy show ahead, not only looking ahead to this match, but also kind of keeping an eye on what could happen next week as the playoffs will start in just about a week and a half, So a lot to look ahead to you because yes, you're Sounders and they have officially clinched that spot in the twenty twenty three
out E MLS Cup playoffs. Let's say you can stay tuned for more information about the first playoff match, not only on this show, not only on our broadcast coming up on which I'll tell you about, but also SOUNDERSFC dot com. It is going to be a busy show ahead we're gonna be chatting with both Jordan Morris and Jackson Reagan coming up in a few minutes. Jackson
Reagan, who has a beer out to kick childhood cancer. Jordan Morris, who is a new dad, excited to talk with them, actually spoke with them out at training, So you're gonna hear those conversations in just a few minutes. Also, Joey Zanna Boney will join us. He is the play by play voice for Saint Louis City. It's not often we get to do a full on sharp vision opponent outlook, just looking deep at the team the Sounders are going to be facing. But listen, this is the best team
in the Western Conference. Came into this season as the newest club and they've taken this league by storm. So we'll talk with Joey Zanna Bony here in a little bit to talk about Saint Louis City and the club the Sounders we'll see on Saturday, and then of course we will go around the league with Ari Lillienwall and around the sound with Andrew Harvey. Busy a show ahead tonight. I'll quickly tell you that for this Saturday's match, you'll actually be able
to listen to that match, you'll have to listen to it digitally. You won't be able to listen on your terrestrial radio. It's not gonna be on ninety three or nine to fifty. You're gonna have to go to the Sounders FC stream on iHeartRadio. That's gonna be a special link. It's not the normal listen live link for ninety three or nine to fifty. It's going to be a special Sounders FC stream on iHeartRadio. I'm gonna be sending the leak
out all week on my Twitter at Jackson Beefeltz. We're gonna make sure to send that on the nine to three to three KJUR account as well. I want to make sure everybody knows it is gonna be the Sounders FC stream on iHeart Radio. That will begin at about five forty five a kickoff just after six o'clock there in the decision day match Sounders at Saint Louis. So without further ado, let's kick things off because we have a lot to get to
tonight with Ari and Andrew and Joey coming up. Let's start though with Jordan Morris. You know Jordan Morris. He scored in the LA Galaxy game. We talk about out, you know, his celebration to honor his new son, THEO, and I wonder how being a new dad is going to kind of give him that energy we saw it in the LA game, and hopefully the lack of sleep is not going to be getting in the way of him being on fire as the playoffs approach. So I had a good chance to
chat with Jordan Morris out at Starfire ahead of this Saint Louis match. Here was my conversation with Jordan Morris. Good to be training again, have a little bit of a break before our next game, but good to get on the field with everyone and work on some stuff that we think we can get better at and prepare for Saint Louis. So before we dig into that Saint Louis game and everything coming up, let's go off the field first. How is life right now? Is a new dad? Yeah, it's great.
It's an incredible experience. You know, we feel super blessed. Maybe not not a ton of sleep going on right now, but my wife's been incredible and just super fortunate. He's a he's amazing. Yeah, we saw you do the t cell of after scoring, you know, go back to that moment there, and you talked on the on field after the game with Michelle and you could tell the emotion, you know, to to be able to score for him in that game against sell A. Yeah, it was.
It was such a cool moment. And you know, usually when I think of a celebration I do, I kind of forget if I score, So I'm happy I remembered that one. But you know, kind of a surprise for my wife and my family watch and they didn't know that I was going to do it if I scored, So I'm glad I remember to do it. And yeah, you know, it was emotional after the game because it was a you know, an amazing week obviously leading up to it, and
then to be able to score for him was super special. You mentioned the family, How is the family and everything, you know, celebrating and everything, but all good. Yeah, everyone's great. Everyone's great. My wife's doing amazing. She's a she's a trooper's and you know she's been she's been
incredible. So I'm super lucky. Now, I'm sure there's a bunch of sounder fountains listening right now, who are expecting I'm planning to have to start a family next year, so as a new dat, any piece of advice you can give me the other expecting dads, No, nothing, nothing too crazy yet, you know, I think everyone just kind of has their their own ways of doing things. And but just to get some sleep beforehand, I guess was the was the advice given to me. And just enjoy it
because it's a it's amazing to blend this into soccer a little bit. How do you balance then, like being a new dad dealing with the sleep deprivation a little bit, but also still needing to come out here and do the same stuff. I mean, I think it puts this into perspective even more. You know, every day when you step on the field, you know, you kind of realize how lucky are to be doing what you're doing. And then you go home and it's just, you know, you're able to
kind of escape the game a little bit. I think that's a tough thing sometimes just to be able to get away from the game off the field. So I think for for me obviously having be able to go home to and and it's just it's been amazing. So it kind of helps you escape when you're off the field and puts everything into perspective and you can. I feel myself playing a little bit more free on the field, which is great.
Well that on that was a couple of quick soccer one before we let you go over all over the team right now, two goals against La zero against Vancouver, one game left in the season. How do you feel about how the attacks rolling right now? Yeah, I mean we're doing all right. I think we're creating some good chances. I think you saw towards the end of the second half we were creating a lot of chances. Maybe could have
put one away, but I think the team's playing well. I mean they mentioned their coach said some nice things about us in the press after the game. Guys are feeling like we're we're playing really really well and we're we're a good team. We're difficult to break down defensively. I think, yeah, on the attacking side of things, we feel like we need to score some more goals, but I think we're playing well, creating chances and the goals will come. So you know, it's a Saint Louis are a good team.
It's important to go there and obviously get some goals, but that's something we're working on this you know these couple of weeks, is the focus right now just Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Saint Louis. You've already cleansed the playoff spots. So is it just the next game or do you start to look a little bit ahead to the to the potential playoff run. It's all the next game right now. We're really just working on us. I'm sure next week we will focus more on Saint Louis, but it's a big game
for us to try to secure home field advantage in the playoffs. Hopefully, you know, if results scar away, we could get up into second place, it would be huge. So I think it's that's the whole focus right now. Well, hopefully you can get some sleep before Saint Louis. Appreciate the time and good luck in Saint Louis. Thanks man, it's good stuff
there from Jordan Morris. You're Sounders FC forward and winger. We'll see if he takes that slot at the nine position over roll ruy Diez or if he slides back out to the wing, and how Brian Schmitzer organizes his team for the Saint Louis match and the playoff game ahead coming up so we will see about that. But from the front line, we'll go to the back line. Jackson Reagan was able to talk with him last week. Now, this came a day after an event he held at Rubens Bruise because Jackson Reagan has
connected with Rubens Bruise in developing a new beard. It's called Aerial dual Ipa. You can pick it up at Rubens Bruce now right down in Ballard, and from what I've heard, it's a delicious, delicious beer. I even had the chance to try it. Yet I'm excited too. Jackson's going to talk all about that, but it is a beer to benefit Seattle Children's and kick childhood cancer, which is you all know is a very very important subject to me. And I love that Jackson has stepped up and he's doing this
with Rubens. Well done to Jackson Reagan, and you know, well done to all of you who go out and support and buy some of this beer, Aerial dual Ipa. So Jackson and Reagan and I we talked, of course about Saint Louis coming up and of course keeping an eye on what's ahead. Really good answer here on about his communication with Yamar and that relationship how
it's evolved this year. But we did start by talking about his new beer, Aerial dual Ipa and what's behind this motivation to you know, kick childhood cancer and how he got connected with this. It's a beer I helped create with Rubens for a great cause for childhood cancer research at Seattle Children's. So, I mean it was super fun for me to help out with the process of it created a little bit and that's for an awesome cause. So it's all all good, and you raised a bunch of money, I know,
Rubens. This week, let's talk about the beer itself really quick. I mean, obviously last night there was the event there. So now that we've had a chance to digest it and think about it, what do you think of the beer? What can you tell people about what the beer's like. It's great, It's like I p a. I think six point eight percent. Don't work. Yeah, not not white, but not too not too crazy. It's light and secrecy a little bit and that's pretty good. Awesome.
Well, can't wait to try In terms of this sales, all this money that that raises, I know that goes to see all children's We talked about it a few weeks ago, but to just to bring it again childhood cancer and sending the money and you know, doing this for the cause. You know, why was this something that you wanted to be involved with? Yeah? I think I've always just tried to do something charitable wise in the community, and I haven't been able to do anything this year so far.
And so Christine came to me, amazing lady and asked me if I could help out with it, and I was very happy to do so. And the name Aerial Duel. Are you happy with the name? Yeah? I think a fan who I met proposed the idea and there's some votes on it, and then Rubens ended up choosing that name and it's it's awesome. I think it fits pretty well. It does. Indeed, Jackson Reagan here had the starfire. All right, let's look back at the zero zero drug ins
Vancouver. Obviously Saint Louis ahead, but just to look back really quick. Good defensive performance again, you know, how do you guys look back at getting that shut out? Yeah, another shout out something the back line and goalkeepers are can be proud of. And I think, as I mean, if we keep doing that, it's just going to continue to take pressure off
the attackers to keep getting because I think they're coming. I mean we're creating chances, just not quite finishing some of them off yet, but I think it's coming. Maybe we're saving them for the playoffs, I would hope. So Stephan Fry ties the club record for shutouts in a season, of the record that he said back in twenty seventeen to be part of the defending and he credited the whole defense on that record to be part of that defense.
That that tied that record with one game to go. What does that mean to you? It's awesome, I think it. I mean it just shows all the hard work that we've been putting in all year. I mean it's a great group of guys. I think the starting guys in the guys who start most of the games, but also guys who have filled in at different times. I think we have a lot of depth. But I think we've been working hard all year and it's just it's been paying off. How is
that partnership with the Yamar the two of you. Obviously this year you come in, you take that starting spot, and now full season of games with you two next to each other. How is your two relationship evolved over the year. It's great, it really has been. I think he's I mean, he's more of a veteran guy, so I've I've learned a lot from him, I would say, even with a little bit of a language barrier. But we've both been he's been working on his English and I've been working
on my Spanish, and we've been how's that coming. It's actually been. It's been coming along. It has and I think, I mean, we have a good relationship now, we always have been, but especially now after this year and just working together all year. How do you go about learning the language? Is like Rosetta Stone? Do you just talk with guys of the team? Now it's more I mean I learned, I learned a little bit in high school, and it's sort of just I've been coming back to
me slowly, honestly, which is pretty cool. I mean, I'm I'm super I get to practice it almost every day, so it's slowly coming back. That's interesting because I remember learning it into high school and I entertained about one percent. That's that's what I thought too. But I mean when you, I mean like it's the same thing as if you I don't know if you went to a foreign country for a little bit, you just slowly pick it up. I feel like talking to game every day is a little bit
like that. How many years did you take Spanish in high school? I think all four you took, you took a pretty good amount of Spanish for Yeah, so that makes sense here with Jackson and Reagan Jackson now looking ahead, still ways away, but Saint Louis coming up on decision day. You know, I guess how what's the mentality? What's the vibe of this team right now? With one game to go and so much to play for where
you could finish anywhere between second and sixth in the West. Yeah, we've we've realized that, and I think we're just preparing for that, and then we're gonna focus on the playoffs after. But I think first and foremost, going there, I mean, it's gonna be fun, knowing none of us have ever been to Saint Louis, to new Stadium really seems like a really cool atmosphere. So I think we're just gonna go enjoy it, try to get a good result, and then from there focus on the playoffs. Awesome,
well, Jackson, thank you so much. Look forward to trying the beer. Awesome. It's great stuff from Jackson and Reagan once again. Head out to Rubens, Bruise and Ballard and pick up some aerial dual I PA and please help kick childhood cancer. Well done from Jackson Reagan and good to hear from Jordan Morris as well. But we'll switch gears here in Sounders Weekly and we'll start to really deep look ahead to this decision day match against Saint
Louis City on the road against six pm. You can listen to that match on the Sounders FC stream on iHeartRadio. We'll talk to Saint Louis's play by play voice Joey Zanna Boni, also Hary Leanwall Andrew Harvey, both of them coming up more next on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders FC. Seedle's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM. Welcome back Sounders Weekly, Jackson Feltz here, good to have you with us on this Wednesday night, looking ahead to the Sounders final match of the regular season, and then it is playoffs ahead. As we mentioned in that previous segment, Sounders Saint Louis coming up this coming Saturday. It's going to be a roughly six o'clock kickoff. You join
us on the iHeartRadio app and online. You can look up nine three three kjar dot com and if you go there to the iHeartRadio website, you'll be able to tune into our Sounders broadcast. I'm gonna send out the twekets to specifically the Seattle Sounders FC stream on iHeartRadio. That'll go live at about five forty five coming up on Saturday. So that's where you can tune us in for Sounders and Saint Louis City, and you also watch the match via MLS
Season Pass on the Apple TV app. Listen to Spanish language l Ray thirteen sixty for Sounders and Saint Louis here coming up at six pm on Saturday. Also your Sounders, they've officially clinched a spot in the twenty twenty three out e MLS Cup Playoffs. Stay tuned for more information about that first playoff match.
Find updates at SOUNDERSFC dot com. Well, while we wait for our next guest to call in, should just be a moment, I'll tell you that Sounders FC and Boeing our teaming up to support the Washington Youth Soccer Community corner on matchdays this season and join us in stadium as welcome Washington Youth Soccer players and coaches to cheer on the Rave Green courtesy of Boeing. All right
there, he is joining us right now for it. You know, usually we just do our sharp vision opponent out looks in a tiny little segment with Ari Lillienwall one or two questions. Tonight we get a full breakdown with the play by play voice of Saint Louis City joey' Xana Bony. Joey's joined us before when talking to Saint Louis City, I believe he's joined us earlier in this season, and it's a pleasure to have him back on Sounders Weekly to
talk all about the Decision Day match coming up on Saturday. Joey, welcome back to the show, my friend. How are you, Jackson? I'm great, Thanks so much for having me, and it should be a great match up this weekend. It should be, Joey. You know, there's a lot we can talk about with this specific match. The fact that you guys have already wrapped up the top of the Western Conference, is one part
of that. But let's just step back, because I think for a lot of US MLS fans, including myself, I really didn't believe what I was seeing from city for so long this year. I'm like, you know, a new team in MLS, you know, inaugural season, are they really this good? And you manage to do it and pull off and win the West? Just overall, taking a step back viewing from thirty five thousand feet, you know what's been this season? Like just watching a team start in
this league and just take the whole conference by fire. Yeah, I mean it's been unbelievable. Really. I'm from Saint Louis. I was born in Saint Louis. My grandfather and my dad both coach soccer and Saint Louis, And I've been well aware of the history, know a lot of the history from all the great players and all the great teams that have come through here through the years. And you know, I really do believe that this was
written in the stars before this season began. I think there's something about the love for this sport that has carried over and inspired this team and has carried this team to New Heights. But you know, on a basis of you know, sort of nuts and bolts and brass tacks. It's really a credit to what Luke's Finnich Deeel and Bradley Carnell, the sporting director and head coach,
respectively, have built. These are two guys that came in with a positive mindset, that came in with an attitude of learning and growing and pushing guys to be their best, and the just done an a plus job. You know, it's something that's really really special to see a group of guys come together, believe in each other, push each other to be better every
single day. And you know, I mean, I think across the board outside of Saint Louis, there were a lot of people that we're not sure if city would be able to maintain throughout the year, and also a lot of people who never thought they would they would be anywhere close in the first place. I do think that the team used that underestimation as motivation, but you know, really it's it's the love and the respect and the care that
they have for each other that's that's fueled this season. And it's just been really special. And I think that this team has done something that Saint Louis for a long time for sure. You know you mentioned that right there, and it's it's funny, I no listeners right now are probably you know, just kind of you know, going meta a little bit, you know, turning to their radios and saying, all right, well, then if they used the doubt as fuel, good job, Jackson, because you've doubted them
all year and I have. I've been one of them. Are you lean? Will and I are you comes up on the show in just about ten fifteen minutes. We and I have been you know, very you know, skeptical of if the Saint Louis was able to keep this going, and my god, it has just kept going and going to the top of the Western Conference, locking in that spot. Joey and Joey Zanaboni is our guest play
by play voice of Saint Louis City. And you know, correct me if I'm wrong, because I don't watch every Saint Louis match, but watching earlier in the year, right especially right after the Sounders were facing them back in April. You know, one thing that stood out about the step that your
team took was you're able to play multiple different ways. You can play the high press system but then now over the course of the season, it seemed like City is able to kind of now play in a more possession style game and beat teams that way. That's the thing that's stuck out to me is now going into the playoffs, your ability to play multiple different ways against different kinds of teams and win no matter what. Would you agree with that assessment,
Yeah, I would agree with that assessment. I think part of what's made Saint Louis City is so successful this year is playing a bit of an unorthodox strategy. There was some data that came out early in the year that basically showed that most Western Conference teams play a very slow, very methodical build up type style for whatever reason, and it's a little more common in the Eastern Conference maybe to play that upbeat, high press type of style. And
that was really where Bradley Carnell's MLS experience came from. He was with the New York Red Bulls as an assistant coach, and I think that that really cemented for him the value of playing that high press style. But of course you played that for a while and other teams adjusts the MLS and they're going to scout you and figure out what you do well and try to challenge in other ways. And the game, for me where I really saw it come out, where I said, this team has the ability to control the ball
and build up and possess. It was September sixteenth, down in Houston and
City was down one nothing. It was the eighty seventh minute, and got a free kick around the field and all ten outfield players ended up touching the ball, moving it forward, got a shot off that was stopped, and Joel Klaus, who scored ten goals this season, was waiting right there by the goal to head in the rebound and it was just really impressive and cool to see a possession where everybody touches, everybody was involved, and yeah,
to see maybe a little bit more in that style that people expect from the Western Conference or from the MLS. It was inspiring in some ways, and I think it was a great confidence builder for the guys to see that they could do that as well. And if we had not salvaged that one point, the Western might have turned out a lot differently. Certainly the end of the season would have had a much different feel. But to get that goal,
and to get that goal in the style that the team did. I do think that the team is capable of playing that way, and we'll have to continue to find ways, you know, to play against different defensive styles. I think this team's going to be tested, obviously in the playoffs in a number of different ways. But I really do think they're after the challenge for sure. And Joey, for those who haven't watched a lot of Saint Louis, and again, I can't say that I've watched all the Saint Louis
games. I catch him when they're on national TV, which is more and more often as the season has gone on. And you know, of course MLS Season Pass, which has been just great this season. But for those who haven't checked in, why don't you tell us a little bit about the players that you're going to be calling their names coming up this Saturday and the players that the Sounders are certainly going to have to plan for. It's unbelievable
what they've done. Many of these guys defined really a second win or a seconds in their career and started to separate themselves from the pack to become I think, among the elite in the MLS. And when I think about players like that, you know, some names that stand out would be one Tim Parker, the center back who was an MLS All Star this year. It
was really kind of a journeyman in the MLS. He was with New York Red Bulls and Vancouver and Houston. He was the captain in Houston for a couple of years and ended up getting acquired by Sinleis right before the season. To see the leadership in the intensity that he's brought is absolutely incredible. And then another one Jared Stroud, who started the majority of the games for Saint
Louis this year and scored five goals. A guy who had some experience with Austin, who was involved I think with the New York Red Bulls as well. I think he had scored maybe one goal in his MLS career prior to this season, and now he's gone off five times for five goals. And they're not throwaways either. They're big time goals that have spurred on big wins.
Whether it was a game time goal weight and the season opener in Austin against his former team, whether he was scoring in the first three minutes against supporters shield winner Cincinnati covering a five to one victory in April for Saint Louis. He's come up really clutch and has done a great job as somebody who's really revitalized and I think re energized his career and really just the way that other teams look at him, other people around the MLS look at him,
it's fantastic. And then there's a group of guys who are debuting in the MLS but brought great experience from other leagues. Roman Burkie, who's a candidate for MVP and goal has been unreal. Who's the MLS leader in shades? Joel Klaus who did play in April in Seattle, but then about two weeks later actually had a quad injury and missed four months, still has been able to score ten goals this season. He missed half the year but has still
been able to score ten goals. You know, I think, just based on the numbers, if you had been able to play the whole season, he'd be right there in the race for Golden Boot. And then Edward Louvian. Edward is been phenomenal and it's really the guy in the middle who makes it all work. He's a I think he's the best boxer box player in the MLS. He's a great passer, He's somebody that sets up his teammates so well, and probably than Leo Messi. I don't think there's anybody else
I'd want taking a free kick in the MLS. Besides they do. It's just it's just incredible what he's able to do there. But you can go down the line and pick out guys, you know, across the board who have made major, major contributions to this team, whether it's an outside back like like Kyle Hebert, or somebody up top who's done a great job putting the ball in the net, like Nico Joachini. He's got ten goals. Sam a dinner and has nine. Everybody stepped up and as Luke svana Stiel
said before the season, there's no designated player on this team. This is the first designated team and that's the mentality they've really taken. Yeah, I mean, you go through it all. That's a good comment and a good name for it. I mean, in Burkey being your MVP candidate, he's just been incredible in goal. I like to, you know, say, Stephen Fry is the best goalkeeper in MLS. I've said that for year and year on end, but no. I mean, even Fry said Burkey's his
MVP, and I agree, Burkie's been just unbelievable. Joey's Anna BONI one more here for you for the Saint Louis City play by play announcer, and that's looking ahead to this Saturday. Of all those guys you just mentioned, lots and lots of talented names, there's a big butt. But the Western Conference, Joey is already wrapped up. You already have the one seed, the shield is out of reach. Will you play all of those guys?
Will you play a first team, you know, first choice roster or do you take it easy considering you really, at the end of the day, you know, seating wise, have nothing to play for. Yeah, you know, I I'm a lot like you. I get the starting lineup an hour before the game, and whoever's on it is on it. That's the approach that they've taken the whole year. Bradley Carnell has been playing again.
From the outside, it might look like an unorthodox strategy, but I think from the inside it's something that's really helped this team and has created an atmosphere of everybody working together, everybody pulling for each other and also one a competition. That's that system. That philosophy is that anybody can start at any time.
He's made it clear that this is really a rotational lineup, and we've had some big games this season, you know, I think about September twenty third in Minnesota, where, yeah, I think the orthodox strategy would have been putting Edward move in and Joaques Klaus into the starting lineup, and he actually did not even play them until about thirty minutes left and Saint Louis was down one nothing in the sixtieth minute, and Abu came on, and Juaque
Klaus came on, and ad L Jackson, who's been very good as a big part of the attack, came on and ended up turning it around and winning the game to one. But he's played I think twenty eight or twenty nine guys, and all twenty eight or twenty nine have seen time in the starting lineup. So he's been really clear that it's it's about the group, even when it's it's coming down to big games in the stretch of the season.
He's really reinforced that and I think that that's really really cool, and it's kept the group really hungry, so you know, we're definitely gonna see I will say that there's one more milestone that Sat. Louis is chasing as an expansion franchise. If we win here on Saturday, it's the most points for an expansion team in MLS history. So there's still something on the line
for the team. I know that guys really want to win it and obviously go out on a high note for the regular season in front of the great fans. So I think that that that's really going to motivate this team coming into the regular season finale. Yeah, I mean that right, record possible right there, that is a massive point of motivation that should you know, at the end of the day, that could be the one point that says, now we are going to play, you know, for a w and
play really hard. And for the Sounders right now, I mean a win will lock up a top three seed. They can only get the two seed with a win. So this could be a very very exciting one comes Saturday, six pm Pacific time. Joey, great stuff, man, I believe you know, I have a feeling like we may be talking again in a few weeks. But we will see how this whole thing breaks down here and have a great call there on Saturday. Hey, thanks a lot, Jackson,
anytime man. Looking forward to catching up with you against them. That's great stuff from Joey Xanna Bony, play by play voice for Saint Louis City Sounders, facing him in the Decision Day match coming up this Saturday. Well Sounders e FC Soccer is presented by Providence, Swedish official healthcare partner of Sounders
FC. We'll take a break, We'll come back and go around the league with Ari Leanwall talk about the crazy Western Conference and all the scenarios ahead in all the different matches here this Saturday for Decision Day and go around the sound with Andrew Harvey. Ari and Andrew are next on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM. Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders FC cles Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM. Welcome back Sounders
Weekly. Jackson Felt's good to have you with us here on this Wednesday evening, looking ahead to the final game of the Sounders regular season and then it is the playoffs ahead. Lots of different situations ahead. Thanks to both Jackson Reagan, Jordan Morris, for Chadden earlier tonight out at training earlier. Good to hear from both of them, and then still have Andrew Harvey coming up
on the show. But before we bring on our next guest, I'll tell you that Sounder fans, bud Light was brewed to be a delicious and easy to drink beer. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Pick up bud Light at your local retailer today. Please enjoy responsibly joining us right now to talk about the Wild Western Conference and everything going on here with just one match left. It's our good friend Ari Lilienwolf mlssucker dot com in
the podcast Lobbing Scorches. Ari. Good to have you back on the show, my friend, how are you. I'm good, Jackson. You know, I'm a little annoyed that you beat me at fantasy football this week, but you know, other than that, I'm doing. I was just gonna add, you know my first question you jumped in right there. I was gonna say, so, lill the Sounders keep it as close of the game to Saint Louis as you kept it to me over the weekend, because boy,
you got whooped. Yeah, you know, hopefully they fare a little bit better than I did. Are you enough gloating about my victory and your loss. Let's talk about the soccer team that we hear cover and we do the show Sounders, and this is a soccer team that the Sounders are up against in Saint Louis that is first place right now in the Western Conference. They've locked in that spot. We kept doubting them for, like, you know, so much of the year, wondering if they were legit so entering
the playoffs now one game to go. Have we changed the tune or are we still a little bit skeptical that they could then you know, make a run and be the Western Conference rep in MLS Cup. No. Saint Lewis is definitely for real. I mean, they've they've had a great year,
and you really can't take much away from them. I Mean, the one thing I will say is that if you look at the underlying numbers, they have overachieved quite a bit, specifically in terms of I mean, if you look at their expected goals, they're overperforming their expected goals by a crazy amount.
I was actually looking at this data the other day and it might have changed a little bit, but they're overperforming their expected goals by like twenty goals, So that does suggest that they've had a little bit of good fortune on their side. But really, I don't even bring that up to take that much to take anything away from them, because what they've done as an expansion
team is really remarkable. And I think the thing about them is they have multiple match winners in Joel Klaus and Edward Rowan and romand Burki has been a match winner and goal as well. So judging by how the rest of the West looks, I think it's a team that should feel pretty good about their chances come playoffs, even if they have overachieved a little bit. Well, you're looking ahead to this weekend's game Seattle Saint Louis, where Seattle is in
Saint Louis. You know, I think that a lot of people will look at this as a potential playoff match, you know, weeks down the road. But with the number one seed already locked up, how much do you think Saint Louis is going to invest in this game? Sure, they haven't played for I don't know how many weeks, like three weeks. It feels like that they haven't played. Sama Dinner on was out at Starfire at Sounders
training last week, just visiting because he had the time. So my question is is if Saint Louis really puts their all into this game and starts a you know, first choice starting eleven, et cetera, et cetera, goes at one hundred and ten percent because they really don't have anything to play for. Yeah, it's a good point, and you might see them rotate because of that, But I mean it works both ways, because, like you mentioned, they've had a layoff here and you want to get informed and getting
rhythm going into the playoffs. You know, you don't want to be going into the postseason cold. So I think there is a chance that you might see guys like Joel Klaus and Edward Lowan not play the full nineties. But you have to imagine they're gonna get at least some run to keep them fit and keep them in form. And also it's kind of a measuring stick game for them as well, against the team that they might have to face again. So that's that's even more incentive for them to at least give their best
lineup at least some overrun in this game. I would tend to think you're right. I think that you nailed it right there, because they got to know that. You know, Seattle may be end up coming right back to Saint Louis for the West Final, theoretically in a three versus or in a one versus two or one versus three matchup when it comes to playoff seeding. So who knows. Was still a lot to go on that one. Ari Leonore is our guest mlsoccer dot com and the podcast podcast host for Lobbing Scorchers.
Ari, let's take a look at this Western Conference because of course it is decision today. All games are gonna kick off right around the same time, right after about six pm Pacific time, So Sounders obviously Saint Louis, but then there's so many other games that are gonna decide seeding. And if the Sounders do end up as a two seed or three seed, I mean
they if they win, they're guaranteed a top three seed. Then I mean, there's a whole bunch of scenarios, right, Really, we could spend a half hour going through all of them, but let's just look at a couple specific games here. As we look around the league, I will quickly mention you and talking about Saint Louis. That was our sharp Vision opponent ALLC. In tonight's opponent, ALYC is presented by sharp Vision Modern lesa can Lens,
the official Lasik provider of Sounders FC. So let's start with LAFC and Vancouver, because if LAFC lose and the Sounders win, Seattle will jump LAFC for the second seed. He has LAFC right now is what about a point one point above Seattle fifty to fifty one, but also have another win. So if the Sounders were to draw and LAFC were to lose, LAFC would still have that tie breaker. So LAFC Vancouver ari huge, huge match. How do you kind of handicap this one? And what can Vancouver do to
pull the upset? Well, if you look at how LAFC has been performing over the last couple of weeks year, they kind of look like the old LAFC. You know, we talked a lot about their conquered Cat Champions League hangover, and they haven't been as world beating this season on the whole as they have the last couple of years. But they are firing on all cylinders right now and they're looking like probably the most dangerous team in the West.
I would probably give them that title above Saint Louis. So Vancouver's had had a very good year in their own right. I mean, we just saw them here in Seattle, and they played Seattle straight up in that zero zero draw. So it's definitely not a game where it's impossible for Vancouver to take
a result. But I mean they're gonna have to slow down a guy in beneath the Wonga who's playing like a man possess right now, Dunny Wonga, who I think belief still leads MLS and goals Ari where is he on the MLS MVP know meter, you know, compared to an Acosta from Cincinnati, You know, because he has the most goals, does that put him over the edge or do you think a Costa has the claim because he's on the Shield winners. I'm still going with Acosta there. I think he's been the
best and most impactful player in the league this year. Denise wo Wonga, he's been a little streakier. I would say his production has seemed to come in bunches, where Acosta has really been carrying the load for the Shield Winners week in and week out, And I like him a little bit more as a facilitator. But I mean Belonga is certainly right there. He's probably gonna win the Golden Boot, and when he gets hot, there's probably not a
more unstoppable player in MLS. Yeah, he's absolutely exceptional. Well, if the playoffs were to start today, and they don't, thankfully, Seattle will be the three ceed, hosting Vancouver two of the three games where the first round series, as we've talked about, is a three game series first to
two wins, and there's no added time. Basically what happens is if it's still tied or no extra time, I should say, if it's still tied after ninety minutes, goes straight to penalty kicks, kind of like they do in MLS. Next Pro Sounders would be facing the white Caps in the first round if they were to start today, but already the teams right around the
white Caps are all involved. Let's talk about the game coming up between currently the four seed and the seven seed, Houston facing Portland coming up this Saturday on Decision Day. Looking at that game, two teams that absolutely could be facing Sounders in the first round, who do we want coming out of that game as a you know, potential Seattle opponent. And I guess, you know, is it even possible to have a rooting interest ahead of time?
Where do we just kind of got to react in the moment based on all the other you know, movement in the table. Yeah, that's easy for me, Jackson. I want no part of a Portland playoff series. There's just been too many times where we've seen that go, We've seen that go sideways, and not not necessarily just specifically in the playoffs, but this, this rivalry with Portland has been pretty one sided here in recent times. And you know, we all know that they play every game against the Sounders like
it's the uaf A Champions League Final. Now, those are the only games that really matter to them. So it's really not based on the quality of the team, but just about the recent history with the opponent. You know. I think a rivalry series in the in the playoffs would be fun from that standpoint, but I'd much rather have the Dynamo, even though I think the Dynamo are a much better team, so I don't think it's a great matchup really either way. I just don't want to deal with a Portland in
the playoffs series. Again, I think you're right, and I think the question then becomes what you know situation avoids that where the Sounders, you know, could be two versus a seven, three versus a six, So the rooting interest may change as the minutes go on somebody scores a goal in some random other game, because there's lots of other games that really have not a lot of standing for both teams. I mean Colorado hosting Salt Lake. Salt
Lake's the only team in involved there. You have San Jose, Austin. San Jose's the only team that can work out seeding there. LA against Dallas. Dallas is the only team that has you know, seeding potential in there. Kansas City, Minnesota. I guess maybe the winner has a shout at the playoffs, but that's kind of it, you know. I agree with you. I want to avoid Portland just based on history. But of those other teams, you know, your Salt Lakes, you know, and then
all the other teams we just mentioned. Is there another team that the Sounders really don't want to see? Or are you good with anybody except Portland? I mean I would have said Houston as the answer to that question, but I mean, with it being kind of a choice between the two and the first scenario that you outlined. I mean, look, the West is week this year. You know, I look at the rest of the table and I see a San Jose team that I wouldn't be especially afraid of facing.
FC Dallas has been a pretty disappointing team this year. Real Salt Lake has been really inconsistent. I think, you know, the Cascadia matchups are probably going to be among the tougher mashups that they could have. So it's just kind of a weak conference this year, Jackson. There's not a lot of I don't know if there is a great team in the West save for LAFC having the potential to play at a very league level. Yeah, yeah, I think I agree with you. So I'll have the same mindset of just
avoid the Portland Timbers. And I think is you know, is again, if this Sounder team gets a draw in Saint louis just a draw that will lock up a top four seed, and it will lock up at least two home playoff games in the sense of that home playoff series would be a hosting one. So that's kind of where my mind is at right now. And hopefully the Sounders can have two of those three come at Loman. We will have a lot to talk about next week our as we look ahead to the
first round of the playoffs. Needless to say so much round MLS is going to change between now and Sunday morning, So we'll talk next week, my friend. Until then, hopefully your head doesn't spend too much here coming up this Saturday. That's good. Thanks, Yeah, good stuff there from ari Leenwall once again MLS Soccer dot Com and the podcast Lobbing Scorches. We will talk to him next week about all the craziness and the first round to point
it for your Sounders coming up there in the Audi MLS Cup playoffs. Well, from around the league and around that Western Conference, we now turn to Around the Sound to comb a defiant season is over, but there's lots still to talk about. Let's hand it over to our piget Sound soccer expert Andrew Harvey. Quick hitters from around the Sound. Jackson ol Rain needed to win last Sunday to guarantee themselves a spot in the NWSL playoffs, and they got
it. They beat Chicago Red Stars three to nil on the road on Decision Day. Three goals of the highest mount the Rain scored dating back to May in league play. They'll host their quarterfinal against Angel CITYFC on Friday, October twentieth at Lumenfield at seven pm Pacific. That match layer on Paramount plus ol. Rain was two to one and one against Angel City and all competitions this year, but they did lose their final meeting to one to them on August
twenty seventh on the road at Bemo Stadium. In case you missed last week's show, Ballot FC announced that it will play the twenty twenty four USL League two season at historic Memorial Stadium in the shadow of the Space Needle while Inner Bay Stadium undergoes Ada renovations. The club is currently selling season tickets, which started ninety nine dollars and include all eight of Ballots home matches next year.
Finally, the Tacoma Stars announced their full schedule for the twenty twenty three to twenty twenty four Major Arena Soccer League season. The Stars, who compete at the Accesso Showware Center and can't open their home slate on December ninth, but have a preseason friendly schedule for October twenty eighth at the Tacoma Soccer Center at four thirty pm. Tickets to that match and all of Tacoma's contests this year can be purchased at Tacomastars dot com. I'm Andrew Harvey and this has been
around the Sound. Good stuff there from Andrew Harvey, our Puges sound soccer experts, and make sure to check that out for Tacoma Stars and the playoff game coming up for Rain, a big good luck to the Rain there its Angel City in the playoff game this coming Friday at lumin If you haven't gotten tickets, make sure to grab those for really what could now be Mega Tirupino's final game as a professional soccer player and for sure potentially the last game she
plays at Loominfield, so make sure to gobble those up. That'll be a big game out there at Luhman on Friday. Well that'll do it for Sounders Weekly tonight. I want to thank all of our guests. Good to chat out at practice with both Jackson Reagan and Jordan Morris in case you missed those interviews, or in case you miss Joey Zanaboni there in the previous segment,
or Ari and Andrew here in the last few minutes. Make sure you check out the podcast it's nine three to three KJR dot com and the Sounders Weekly on demand page, or you can find Sounders Weekly wherever you get your podcasts, including the iHeartRadio app, which is, by the way, exactly where you can listen to this Saturday's match for the Sounders Decision Day not gonna be on ninety three or nine point fifty. You'll be able to listen to the
match on the iHeartRadio app. It's gonna be a specific the Sounders FC stream channel on the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be sending that out on my Twitter at Jackson B Felts all week. We're gonna be sending that out as much as we can because it's a different stream. You can't just go listen live at ninety three to three on iHeartRadio or nine fifty. It's gonna be a specific Sounders stream on iHeartRadio. So gonna be sending that out if you
need to google it. That's my best I plan is to just kind of look up the Sounders FC stream channel iHeartRadio. That's where we're gonna be shooting that out. That broadcast with a Providence Swedish premat show. We'll begin at five forty five, kickoff just after six pm or so, you know.
Also watch the match via MLS Season Pass on the Apple TVP listen in Spanish language on l Ray thirteen sixty So Sounders Saint Louis coming up in Decision Day This coming Saturday should be an exciting one, as we have outlined extensively here tonight with Joey and with Ari and everybody else Chail the podcast. In case you missed anything tonight, but for right now, Fox Sports Radio coming up next