Futbol Americas: Balogun Stays Put + USMNT Transfer Recap + Leagues Cup Recap + Marcelo Balboa Joins

26:24I can add there the likes of Serginio Dest, who we come to find out per report said no to Fulham. He doesn't want to go to the Premier League. The most enticing name here isn't Giovanni Reina, it's Xavier Gosso. And guess what? Xavier Gosso is not part of the U.S. men's national team. That's the one name that gets you excited, and it's the one big transfer fee. Didn't happen for anybody else. We've been told that Weston McKinney's been on his way out from Juventus for the last, check's calendar, five years running. So it's mediocre at best. That said, there needs to be movement, whether it's Major League Soccer to the championship, whether it's Major League Soccer to the Air Divisie, wherever it is, you need to make the jump, and it needs to be a numbers game because it's a numbers game for Argentina.

27:08It's a numbers game for Brazil. It's a numbers game for Uruguay, the top exporters in the world. You need to do the same. Chaka, what do you think of Christian Pulisic, of course, still staying at Milan? Of course, there have been talks that his position could be under threat based on some of the signings that Milan have made and, of course, with new management coming in, too. Was this the right move to stay there? Do you want to see him somewhere stable? What kind of give Christian Pulisic's own path, let's call it, to Milan and clubs landing at clubs and I think in Chelsea in particular never really settling.

27:42Huge question marks as to whether he was even wanted. You understand Christian Pulisic wanted to stay where at least until 12 months ago he was highly valued and a big part of that little bit of a resurgence that we've seen of AC Milan. And now, disappointing 2026. There's no hiding that. And I think that more than anything, and his injury in the summer, has put his long-term future at ATML into some doubt. But I'll say it again. Players back themselves 99 times out of 100. Christian Pulisic intends to get fit, intends to be that player that he was 12 or 18 months ago, put this 2026, certainly the first half of it, behind him.

28:30So I think, yes, it's the right move. Oh, well, it's the right option for him not to move. Well, Shaq, let me stick with you for this next one, too, because it's a player that we both respect so much, and that's Tyler Adams now. But, of course, staying at Bournemouth, he was linked to teams like Manchester United. Don't laugh. I know you know where I'm coming from with this one. However, now, again, new management at Bournemouth. We're seeing that he's being benched probably more often than not. We do know his history with injuries, so it's still early on in the season. But do you think he should have entertained some offers?

29:02Yes. Listen, and credit to Bournemouth. I think Bournemouth have proved themselves to be one of the fairytale stories of the Premier League over the last couple of seasons. And Tyler Adams was a big part of that. There's absolutely no denying that. Now, you can continue to chase that fairytale with Bournemouth for as long as it lasts, or entertain offers from bigger clubs, where you'll be competing at the higher end of the table far more consistently. In all honesty, kind of giving away a Bournemouth, you could almost make an argument for them to continue. But that's on the off chance. And again, those are fairy tale stories for a reason.

29:46I think Tyler Adams deserves to play for a bigger club. I think his talents warrant that. I'm surprised that he's still at Bournemouth. I don't know his wages. I don't know what the transfer he would even be for Tyler Adams. Sometimes it's not as easy as I want out. I'm going out. These things can happen. Given his injury history, given the type of player he is physically, I'm sure most teams that would be interested would want some sort of insurance policy that is going to be on the field. To me, this is not that big of a news. It's a player in the first two games didn't start. I'd back Tyler Adams.

30:26I would. He's a player that if he's physically fit, he's going to win his position. He's going to be on the field, and he's going to be a good presence for you. So I'm not too worried about that. Would you have liked a better transfer for a player like Tyler Adams? Sure. Where? Do we realistically see him at United? Do we realistically see him in one of the top six? I don't think Bournemouth is a bad place. Bournemouth definitely is not a bad place to leave either. We know he absolutely loves it there. But, Jeff, I want to touch on Ricardo Pepe and Serginio Destin, their situation there at PSV.

30:56Of course, both of them opting to say, but Herc on the show on Monday said that he felt that Sergino Des had outgrown the Erie Divisie. Do you understand where he's coming from? Absolutely. You know, this is a player who moved to Barcelona, you know, tried his luck there. It didn't work out. So now he went back to the Dutch League with PSV. But, yeah, I think he, you know, you watch him play. listen, everyone knows the quality is both good and bad versus Eugene Odest. Going forward, the guy's electric and really dynamic in the attacking half. Defensively, he can be a bit of a liability. I don't really see him being tested in that way in the Eredivisie.

31:42The fact that Fulham came calling and he turned them down, to me, that's a little bit of a surprise. In terms of Pepe, I mean, really, it was Fulham who backed out of that particular deal, you know, back in the spring. And, you know, this guy has really endured some body blows in terms of his career. I mean, when you think about the national team, not making it in 2022, you know, now this situation with Fulham. And so, but I think in Pepe's situation, it's not all bad. I mean, he's a guy who I think really does need to prove his fitness, that he can last, you know, the pace of a full season. he's the starter until someone takes it away from him.

32:24And he's been waiting for this opportunity for what seems like forever. So I expect him to score a lot of goals with PSV. And I expect clubs other than Fulham to come knocking and see what they can get him for. So disappointment for Dest. But I think for Pepe, this is a situation that he can really build on his career, build his resume, and then really make himself attractive to other clubs in Europe. Yeah, Ricardo Pepe definitely has been in some fine form with the club shirts on Indeed. All right, well, let's just remind you exactly how Americans stand in the league phase squad. You have a whole 11 in the Europa League.

33:02That's where you'll find majority of them, six playing in the Champions League and three of them in the Conference League. So lots to look for in European competition this season. All right, so honestly, the numbers that we saw, Herc, is that enough for you? In European football? Yeah. Yeah, because I'm old enough to remember when you didn't have numbers in European football. So you'd rather see these players in the Champions League. You'd rather see a Weston McKinney competing. You'd rather see Christian Pulisic in the Champions League. You want to see a player like Tyler Adams. You want to see your aces.

33:36You want to see the players who really, really represent what your program is about. That's where you want to see them. But like I said earlier, this is a numbers game. That's what it is. the best countries in the world produce the numbers in these type of competitions, you need to do the same. And we can sit here, look, Americans, that's a lot of players in the Premier League. Yeah. The Bundesliga, these are top leagues around the world. So you're getting good players in these good leagues. You just got to get more of them. Jack? Yeah, listen, I see no issue in the numbers at all. Listen, I'm not critical of that in the slightest, especially when you take into consideration some of the conversations that we were just having moments ago.

34:16Some of the biggest moves, I say in inverted commas, is players who did not move in this transfer window. Players who were able to stay at their clubs and are not offloaded. And given that opportunity yet again. So all those things that are taken into consideration, that representation of, what was it, eight in the Champions League, 11 in the Europa League. I think given where US soccer is right now, that's outstanding. I tell you what, Shaq, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica. It'll be a pretty simple graph to draw. I'll take three players in the conference. Well, Leon Bailey with Olympiacos. I know, yeah.

34:55That's still just one. Alright, Jeff Carlisle, thank you so much as always for joining us. We look forward to catching up with you again soon.

35:07All right, well, let's just remind you that Eredivisie is on ESPN, and you can find this juicy matchup, Serginio Des and Ricardo Pepe in action for PSV, as they face Ajax. That's Saturday, 2 p.m. Eastern time, kickoff on the ESPN app.

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37:17Right, let's talk about the League's Cup, shall we? Let's get into all the semifinal highlights. Now we're going to start off with Toluca, which is looking like a very well-oiled machine, taking on Leon in the semifinals. 23rd minute now. Heleno's shot would be saved here by Oscar Garcia. Yeah, good save by Oscar Garcia. The Brazilian with the fabulous shot off the Raybon Heleno's been on a tear lately and catches one early, but good save by the keeper. 41st minute. Leon can't quite clear the ball. Uh-oh, keeper. And Pereira. Yeah. It's a really nice finish from Pereira. doesn't have to hit it well because the keeper is off his line, gets in a muddle with his own defender, doesn't get good hands on it.

37:58Nice finish, Pereira. Into the second half we go now, and it would be much of the same as Toluca would make it 2-0. Yeah, Federico Vinas, a bit unlucky for the goalkeeper. He makes the initial save, goes over him, and then the bounce is very kind for Vinas as he watches it go in. Just a couple of minutes later now, Romana would be naughty-naughty, and get his second yellow card, which means he's got to get going. I mean, it's silly. It really is. To get sent off without listening. Yeah, dissent, right? I know you're trailing and you're frustrated, but that's just silly. So, Leon down to 10 men and a mountain to climb back here.

38:43Jorge Diaz's shot hits the post. Fans can't quite believe that that stayed out. 89th minute, though, Bruno Mendes. He would get a second yellow for this foul on Diaz, and he is sent off. Yeah, he gone. It's a tactical foul. Catches him. He gets a second yellow. That's enough. And then, uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh. They're not happy. They're not happy, but I'll tell you who's happy after that. Toluca, as they book their spot in the final. Then it was over to Club America taking on Monterrey in the second semifinal of the night. 13 minutes in. Shout for a penalty here. Henry Martin saying he got stepped on right there.

39:23You're going to see it. It's Salcido right there. Does he step on him? It kind of goes down. No bar. No bar, though. I'm okay with that. All right, 49th minute now. Diego Rossi going for the cross there, but it ends up in the back of the net on Monterrey. Did he mean it, Shaq? I think he did. Yeah. I think Diego Rossi means this. Go for it. Go for it. And let me tell you, this set off a wild 10 minutes where all the goals came. 57th minute, America find the equalizer through Juarez. Yeah, Ramon Juarez. The defender, the center back, gets the start, gets his goal. 63rd minute, Cervantes curling in a nice stun-off from outside the box.

40:03And America taking the lead. The pass to pick up Cervantes with a special body finish. Oh, Andrade. Just caresses up. Throw a glove at it. As our Ale Moreno would say. 66 minute though, Pineda goes down in the box and a penalty is given. Yeah, Kevin Alvarez is claiming his innocence right there. Is there a touch? It looks like knee to knee. It does go, does not go to bar, excuse me. It's knee to knee right there. That's what they call penalty kick. And they've got a shot to tie it up. Big shot indeed to tie it up. Lucas Ocampos, he steps up. Oh, no look. And buries it. He just no looked at, Shaq.

40:44So we are level heading into the 80th. Manny Pineda here with an attempt from outside of the box where Cota comes up with the save. This time he sees the ball set up, knows he has a backtrack, makes a really good save. And we go to penalties here. This is when it's tied 3-3. Cervantes steps up but puts it over the bar. Distress for Club America. Oh, no. Scoring a goal, missing a penalty kick. Kuiper's here with a chance, and he scores the penalty. So it's Monterrey that would advance to the final after winning 5-4 on penalties. And do you hear that? Huh? That sadness is the wailing that we heard from our Mauricio Pedrosa.

41:24Once again, Tum America broke his heart. Because look at that final, which I'm pretty sure he thought we would see some yellow shirts. but instead it is Toluca versus Monterrey in the League's Cup final. Indeed. All right, well, let's touch on Toluca first in this one and what El Turco Mohamed is doing, because that is a well-oiled machine, Herc. What impressed you about how they went about this win? Well, it's not just this win. They have five trophies in the last 18 months. And he seems to, everywhere he goes, everything he touches turns into gold. And he revitalizes the locker room. He makes players believe they give not only their all, but more than some think they're capable of.

42:06And he produces winners. It was total domination by León. León's a team that since Javier Gandolfi, after the first two weeks when they didn't win, got to the team, were undefeated. They were undefeated. And they humiliated León. I know it's away from León. I know it's not in Mexico. But they made León look like a second-rate team. And most teams in Liga Mexicans have not found the formula to do that. Toluca's on a different level. It seems like they've got two players per position. Paulinho is out for the rest of the season. He was the back-to-back leading goal scorer in Liga Américas. No problem.

42:39They get Vinas from La Liga, you know, a veteran of Liga Américas who just comes back from Spain. He just played a World Cup with the Uruguayan national team. They have depth at all the positions and they've got the coaching experience to back it up. And they're going to go for their sixth trophy in 18 months they're by far the better team in this in this game and maybe in this competition maybe in North America the defending concaf champion so it's not that I can't keep going on about the Luca it just wouldn't do him justice well unlike me because you know I'm an essential worker I was up at 2 a.m eastern time when this match finished and el turco mohamed did his press conference and confirmed that Paulinho could play about 30 minutes in the final, Herc.

43:22Wow. I thought he was done. No, he's not. Well, we'll see. We'll see. 30 minutes is something, pero algo es algo. We'll see. But, Shaq, when you look at Toluca now and everything that Herc just said and what El Turco Mohamed has been doing, I mean, it's going to be hard to stop a team like this. It really is. They've got genuine firepower in Vinas and Pereira. But championships are one of strong defenses. And in Toluca, we're talking about a team that hasn't conceded in the quarterfinal, did not concede in the semi and going into the final on the back of that as that strong a defense as their foundation.

43:57It's hard to see anybody else but Toluca here. No, don't get me wrong. It's a final and Monterrey has a puncher's chance, but I see this as Toluca's to lose. Yeah, when you look at it, because Xhaka brings up the good point, solidly they have been so defensively solid as well. What impresses you more the way they go about the attack or just their defensive stability? I was an attacker. I love the way they attack. Turco Mohamed, throughout his career as a coach, has been very defensive-minded in transition football, very pragmatic, take your chances when you can. That's not this Toluca. They are firepower everywhere.

44:36And they've got, I've already mentioned two per position, and they find gems. You know, Diaz Price was a player who was playing in Liga de Expansión, and Cancun, who was an afterthought, who many discarded and was probably on the verge of retirement. Turco Mojave sees him and then the kid brings him up and he's scoring goals for fun. Viñas was a guy that Real Oviedo scored a few goals, but he had more red cards than probably goals. We see something to bring him down. He's helping you out. Elinho comes in, this Brazilian, and the first couple months that Elinho was in Liga Mekis, he did not look good.

45:09They stuck with him, and now he's a world beater. He just got a massive transfer to Russian football, I believe, that will happen soon. So they just, they're so good in how they find players and how they give players this confidence going forward. They're a tough team to beat. It doesn't matter who you are. But it will be very important where this game is played. To my understanding, Toluca has priority because they are the number one ranked team left in this competition. They will choose the venue. But Toluca is a very regional team in Mexican football. They've got the second most titles in Liga MX, and they're not considered un grande.

45:43Like in the UK or in England, you have the big six. There's the big four in Mexico. They've got more titles than anybody in that big four besides Club America, and they're not considered a big team. So where they go will be a factor because Monterrey, if it's anywhere in Texas, if it's anywhere in California, can bring that fanfare, can bring those fans into the equation, and it could affect this. But this is going to be Toluca to lose. Right. Well, you talk about the big four in Mexico, and few, I don't think any, are really bigger than Club America on paper. However, last night, Monterrey proved to be a lot bigger than Club America, especially on penalties, which can always be a lottery.

46:25But now the Club America fans, including Armando Pedrosa, are crying hurt that the referee had a say in this, that. Do they have a point? Well, their head coach was the one, and I'm not going to say he was crying about it, but look, this play right here. I mainly met Mao. Shaq said he's okay with it. I am too. You look at it in real time. Look, they say he got stepped on. Well, football, soccer is a contact sport, and not every contact is deemed, you know, a foul. And when you slow this down, it looks worse. And then this play right here with Orbelin Pineda, the referee calls penalty kick. So now you got to find a definitive image that shows you that it's not a foul.

47:03And everywhere I look, there's contact knee to knee and the player goes down and the referee calls it. So now if you want to call this back, VAR has to find clear and obvious evidence that it's not a foul. I can't find clear and obvious. I would be okay with it not being called, but once it's called, I can't find clear and obvious for it to be called back. So I think that was the right call the penalty kick as far as the Henry Martin getting stepped on these actions happen all the time in football you could feel hard done but I don't think there's enough there for you to give a penalty kick and you saw the lower third how I said that they're really the ones who are crying about this to the referees in any league La Liga Real Madrid Barcelona in England you know, Manchester City, Liverpool, Man United, the big clubs are going to get the calls.

47:55It just happens. So I have no issue with that. But these, I think, were the fair calls. Shaq, any issues with that call? No, not really at all. I will admit, the first one on first look didn't look a penalty to me at all. The second on first look did. And once those decisions are given, it's hard to kind of see them be overturned as a result. Yes, you can make that argument. And if I were Club America and I had to endure being on the wrong side of both those scores, I'd be upset too. And I'd be compared by the referee as much as anyone. But I'm not. And I'm happy to kind of go with the referee's first instinct because it was also mine.

48:39Well, Herc, another new coach and another international fracaso. How do they take this one? Well, the same way they've taken the last probably eight. You know, I say this with respect. America has had an unbelievable run in the last four or five years. But for whatever reason, the international title, whether it's League's Cup, whether it's the playoff game to get into the Club World Cup versus LAFC, it hasn't gone their way. And there have been some crazy outcomes. A few years ago, I remember changing the channel after they beat Nashville and then looking at my phone and, hey, the Nashville game is still going on because they called one of the penalty kicks back in the shootout.

49:17And you're like, what's going on? And it's always something with Club America, but they can't get that monkey off their back. They can't win the international title. And that's the only thing. That's the only thing their owner has said that he wants. The only thing. And they can't do it. I really don't know what it is, but they just can't get it done. It's like a new curse of the Bambino. It's because he said he wanted it. And then the universe said, I don't know. I don't know about that. All right, guys, let's book it, shall we? These are the odds for the final Toluca up against Monterrey. Now, if you don't want to trust those odds, that's why we got our experts here.

49:54Trust us. Trust us and trust Shaka. Shaka, what you saying? The well-oiled machine that is Toluca or those at Monterrey who know how to ganar pero sufriendo. They can win but suffering. Listen, again, I think Monterrey have a puncher's chance. It's a final, and there's always that opportunity for them. But Toluca have just shown themselves to be a far more complete football team. As I mentioned, kind of building on that foundation of a very solid defense and having firepower up front, I think I'll double down in saying this is their title to lose. Yeah, I think it's no surprise that two of the biggest spenders in Mexican football are in another final.

50:37I mean, there's probably four big spenders in Mexican football, the other being Tigres and then Cruz Azul. These two spend as much as anybody, and Monterrey has a very European feel to that roster. They've got a very international feel. Diego Rossi and Kuypers are players that know MLS competition very well, and they've been punishing MLS competition very well. This isn't MLS competition. This is Toluca now. I still think it's Toluca's to lose, but Monterrey has enough firepower with Almeida, and they have enough roster build with Denis Declosa, where I think that puncher's chance that Shaq is talking about is definitely doable.

51:12All right, so it'll be an All-Liga MX showdown in the League's Cup Final. We cannot wait for that one. Well, if you want to check in on our Mauricio Pedrosa, you can find him over on Ahora o Nunca. It is on weekdays. Just catch it on our YouTube.

51:35Welcome to Major League Soccer Robert Lewandowski.

51:45Lewandowski! He's on fire for the fire! It's okay! The little prince becomes the Lion King!

51:59We now welcome to the show a legend of U.S. soccer, a man who's played multiple World Cups and has the best facial hair in the U.S. men's national team's history. Take that, Alexi Lalas. I will get there myself one day. Marcelo Alboa, how you doing, my man? I'm good, buddy. How are you? Good. I'm better now. It's always good to see you, man. It really is. Hey, I always love talking with you about Major League Soccer and Liga Amekis. You're one of the few guys who's played in both. And you're very close right now to the transfer window. There's been lots of news around the world, but Major League Soccer's transfer window was just as exciting.

52:36So I'm curious, Marcelo, is there any one signing that's gotten you a bit excited? And maybe with that signing gives this team a real contention for MLS Cup? Ooh, you know, there's been so many good ones with Lewandowski, Mbolo. to me, Mbola was a big one. I love that one because we just saw him playing a World Cup. He had such a good, good World Cup. And then you look at Griezmann, who I think is going to make a huge impact. And he has been at Orlando. Casemiro's done a great job in Miami. So, you know, we just did San Diego. We saw Churi. So, man, I still got to go with Livan Dalke. I think that is probably for me, the biggest signing for Chicago Fire.

53:21I put him up there with the Guatelmo Blancos of the world and what he did for Chicago. I think Lewandowski could do the same thing in that area. Oh man, that Chicago Fire of the 2000s with Guatelmo Blanco revitalized the Chicago Fire, really made them a contender. You know what the Polish community is like down in Chicago. Robert Lewandowski can no doubt do the same. Antoine Griezmann to me is very, very exciting. I know, I know it's not the Antoine Griezmann of the prime years in Atletico, but you're still a very good player. And Casemiro, he was doing this last year for Manchester United. He could be the missing piece for Inter Miami and Messi to once again lift the cup.

54:03But I really like the Robert Lewandowski shout here, Chelo. I think you're on to something. Yeah, to me, you know what, when you look at goal scorers in this league, we've had, listen, we know what Beckham has done for this league. We know what Messi's done, what Suarez has done, DePaul's come in. But I even go back to the old days of Novak and Valderrama and what they did for this sport. And I looked at when they said Lewandowski to Chicago, I'm thinking to myself, man, foolish, good striker, the way Greg likes to play, everything fits perfectly. So for me, that's probably the signing of this transfer window that came up so far.

54:41I love it. I absolutely love it. just because the passion he brings. And he's not here to say just to play. He's here to win a championship. You can see him on the field. You can see how he's getting into his teammates. And the same with Griezmann. So, so far, man, it's been a good transfer window. Are you somebody who takes stock into this MLS retirement image that they want to shed it? Or do you just care about the player? Does the age matter or do you just care about the player? No, listen. I think, Herc, when we started in my era, When we started coming in, they were bringing players. And let's be honest, they were a little over their prime.

55:18Nowadays, when you start looking at the players they're bringing in, I believe it's the average age of 26 to 28. So that's a different breed of athlete right there. This is a guy that's in his prime. He wants to come and make a difference in the United States. I think Messi and Beckham have opened up the eyes of a lot of people of the potential of what this league has. We're not there yet, but we're getting there. And I think people love the ability to look at this and say, I want to be a part of history, and that's why they're coming to MLS. And listen, am I on the bandwagon for MLS? Yes. You know why?

55:50Because as a kid, I wanted a league. I wanted to play in the United States. I wanted to be able to take my grandkids to a game, to the Rapids, to wherever I'm living. And when I look at this league and how much we've grown, and we went away from the older players to these younger players, I think it's fantastic. Do we have a ways to go? Yes. 100%, but man, it's a good start this year after the World Cup. Yeah, let's be honest. There are a lot of teams around the world who would say Robert Lewandowski, who just scored 120 goals for Barcelona. I'll take him. Casemiro from Manchester United. I'll take him.

56:24Antoine Griezmann, yes, please. By the way, these players, some of these players were participating in the League's Cup. Let's talk about League's Cup. For the first time in its modern history, it's an All-Liga Amegis semifinal. four teams from Liga Amegis participate in the semifinals. That means three of those CONCACAF Champions Cups spots go to these Mexican teams. By my estimation, that's nine now, nine Liga Amegis teams that will be participating in the Champions Cup next season, or this actually current format of the season. Chalo, there are 18 teams in Liga Amegis. That's half of Liga Amegis participating now in the tournament.

57:05What do you make of this League's Cup edition being all Mexican and what I just mentioned? Well, listen, I think it's disappointing only because of this is the first time we're not in a semifinal, we're not in a final, we're not fighting for this championship. Leon's got to win in order to get in. If not, Tijuana's got an opportunity to get in. So, but disappointing because the fact that we've got teams, we've got teams that can compete. But look, when you look at even the game we were doing the other day with Monterrey and Chicago. I mean, the goals that are being scored are fantastic right now.

57:42You know what I mean? You know, then you get guys that played in MLS and understand MLS teams in Rossi and Kuypers. And all of a sudden, they're starting to figure out a little bit more. But like I said, I think this year has been disappointing in League's Cup. Even for my Leon yesterday, they played probably their worst game in League's Cup. But listen, I love this tournament. I love the way that it's built. I love the way that now we're playing games in Mexico. What a great opportunity for our younger players to understand. You played in Mexico. You know the pressure. You know how hard it is to play there.

58:17And I think these younger kids are getting a world of experience of playing over in Mexico. Yeah. Now the scheduling will align where you don't have certain teams competing in Open Cup. You don't have certain teams competing in Leagues Cup. It'll be much more focused on one tournament. I think that's going to make things easy for Major League Soccer, but we can't deny what we just saw when it was supposed to be harder for League of the Yankees with the travel, with constantly being on the road. They put on a show this year, so you've got to give them credit here. Let's move on to another tournament.

58:46Listen, the U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition here in the United States. It's 1913. It's been going on for over 100 years. It's near and dear to my heart. I won it back in the day. I loved the tournament. But sometimes Major League Soccer, I feel, takes it for granted. Not anymore. Big news coming out. All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will be participating in the U.S. Open Cup. They doubled the prize money. $1 million up for grabs. Marcelo Babo, you know this tournament. How can we make this tournament great? How can we make it like the FA Cup in the U.K.? You know, Herc, it's difficult because with League's Cup and you've got so many things, teams fighting for playoffs.

59:30There's so many things going on. But I love the fact that they double the prize money. I love the fact that every single team is playing. I think for me, I loved it when some of these bigger teams have to go to these small markets and understand what playing in a USL 5 ,000-seat stadium and the passion that those fans have behind it. I think that's where I enjoyed it, where the underdog, the USL teams, are hosting these MLS teams and their fans are excited. We're trying to promote the game of soccer. It is the one of the – listen, I've played in it. I've lost in a final. I played it when I was an amateur back in the old days.

1:00:12So dear and dear to my heart, too, like you, Herc. And I would love to see it go back a little bit to the old days to where you have to go to these smaller venues in Montana or in whatever little state it is and have to really show up and play. Because it's easy playing at home sometimes, but the travel is what gets you. And it's bringing MLS soccer to all parts of the U.S. I don't want to reopen a wound, but remind me who you lost to in this final. I forgot, man. I forgot. Who was it? The Rochester Rhinos. There we go! And this is what I want to get to because you hit the nail on the head here, Chelo.

1:00:52You said bring Major League Soccer to these smaller markets. That's how you grow this tournament. You force Major League Soccer to be the away team, and that's how you're going to grow organically this tournament. They always say the magic of the FA Cup. That's how you get the magic of the U.S. Open Cup. The Rochester, the raging Rochester Rhinos, the raging Rhinos of Rochester are the team that beat the Colorado Rapids. Was it 1999, if I'm not mistaken? Yeah, but hold on. I remember De Rosario, Pat Onstad, they had MLS players. But I tell you what, it was fun because we had to go to Florida to play some amateur teams.

1:01:27We had to go everywhere. And you know what? It was just, for me, giving people the opportunity to see what Major League Soccer is doing and taking that market, taking those teams to these little markets was absolutely fantastic. There wasn't a home venue. We played the final in Columbus. So we both were neutral. So it was it was I hope they go back to doing some of that like they used to do in the old in the 90s. Yeah, there's a lot of great, great markets in the USL and beyond. I hope they can take advantage of it in this tournament. And maybe we see some amateur sides take down some professional sides.

1:02:03I always enjoy that. Chelo, there was some sad, sad news coming out this week. Inter-Miami's Lionel Messi, after a 20-plus year career with the Argentine national team, announced his retirement from international football, mainly speaking after the death of his father, saying he just knew that the timing was right. Sooner rather than later, the writing's on the wall. This will happen also with Messi and his club career. That means that it could come to an end fairly soon, maybe sooner than Inter-Miami once. What does Major League Soccer's future look like, Inter-Miami's future, the league's future, post-Messi?

1:02:43You know, let me say this, Herc. What an honor it's been for 20 years to watch this man and that rivalry with Ronaldo carrying our sport on their back. I've never seen, and I remember Maradona and Pelé were the closest to watching what Messi could do on the field and the way he thought process and the way he did things was just so incredible. So to have been able to have been blessed to watch that era of football has been great. You know what? MLS, you can't... Messi's going to come and he's going to go and he's going to retire. But at the end of the day, you can't try to simulate or originate what you did with Messi.

1:03:24So you've got to keep moving on. That means, for me, you've got to open up the purse a little bit. You've got to open up the wallet and start spending money on big-name players. If we're going to become a league that's going to fight and is going to want to be one of the top five, one of the top six, that means you've got to go spend. And that means being in big-time players and N 'Bapet, you know, Lise, players at that level to this country. Because, listen, you're not going to bring one player ever that's going to have the impact that Messi has. That came and it went. And it's still here, fortunately, for us.

1:04:00but it's going to take a lot more than just one player to help this league. So I hope with the new commissioner, they're talking about opening up, being able to spend. And if you want to spend great, if you don't want to spend great, that's your choice. But I love the ability that they have the money to go out there and buy. If you want to buy an NBAP, because there are teams that can buy players or at least say there are players, the Dembellis, those are players that will eventually I think come to the United States. It's a massive advantage being in the United States. A lot of these players love the country, but you said you have to spend.

1:04:34Larry Berg was an MLS owner, and he was one of the MLS owners of the ownership group that constantly pushed the envelope in LAFC. You've got to raise the floor. Raise the floor. You've got to make teams spend. And also, it's a good thing they've aligned themselves with the world's transfer window. That's going to be good business for Major League Soccer. But I agree with you. It's got to be talent, and that means you've got to spend. And then the TV contract comes, and more players like Messi will come. Marcelo Balboa. It has been a pleasure, my friend. The first time I saw Marcelo Balboa, he was doing bicycle kicks.

1:05:041994 World Cup and then inaugural season for the Colorado Rapids, and he's still bringing it today. Cello, thank you, my man. Bye. Thank you so much for having me. I hope you guys have a wonderful and blessed night, man. Great stuff there from Herc. Trying to take my job with all these interviews. But anyways, I'll tell you that NW Cell Action is coming up on our network. Brain FC against San Diego Wave. Who will win that one, Seattle or San Diego? That's Sunday, 9 p.m. Eastern time for Kickoff on ESPN2. In a contracting business, you're either growing or you're grinding. Success is no longer about hard work alone.

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1:06:26Earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Tonight La Quinta, tomorrow you shine. Book your next trip at LaQuinta.com. Terms and conditions apply.

1:06:39Well, Crystal Palace and U.S. star Chris Richards spoke to Football Americas recently through his partnership with Stello, a small health wearable. And as promised, here's part two of that chat with our Tom Hamilton. Chris, thank you so much for joining us. First up, I just want to ask you a slightly strange question. How many rubber chickens do you now have? Funnily enough, I actually gained another one today. So I'd say we're probably at about five or six. Five or six. Okay. So it started back in the Conference League final, I think. Was that the first? Correct. And then he went everywhere. I'll show you.

1:07:21The chicken went everywhere with you around America for the World Cup. And then you've kind of, you've adopted more since. So could you just tell us the story behind this? Yes, actually. It was the Conference League final. And, no, obviously we'd won. And a few things were thrown on the pitch. And one of them was, no, the chicken. So I grabbed it. And, again, it kind of became my spirit animal. You know, I took it with me as a good luck moment. and so throughout the World Cup. And even when the World Cup was done, he took it on holiday with me. And so, you know, he's very well, very well-traveled, I'll say that much.

1:07:55But again, he's gained, he's gained, you know, now a little family. Now it's something that, you know, me, my girlfriend and my daughter, we, I mean, we have a little chicken family now. Whether it's at Bayern Munich, you'd have had, I'm trying to think now, like Boateng and Alaba would have been there at Palace when you arrived. I guess, same sort of age. I mean, it's probably younger than you, Mark Gaye, but these sort of guys would have been there. You'd have had Tim Ream with the U.S. as well. So what's it like being the younger guy in those sort of relationships? And what have you learned from being the guy who's been looking for advice and leadership?

1:08:30Yeah, I think it's good to be a sponge. I think as a younger kid, I think when people who are only a few years older than you are kind of telling you what to do, you're like, no, you're not my dad, you're not this and you're not that. But ultimately, it's for the greater good. And, you know, I've gotten chewed out a few times by older players, and I think it's necessary. And I think now that I'm on the other end of it, I think, you know, ultimately it's my turn. You know, I think, you know, I don't want to chew out anybody, but ultimately if I can help keep the standard of what everybody is trying to get to around the club, around the national team, around whatever it is in life, then, you know, I will have done my part.

1:09:11And ultimately I think I'm thought of as a nice guy. but I think when it comes to this job, when it comes to this career, I think you only have a few years to get in what you need to do, and so if I have to kind of be that tough guy on certain people, then so be it, but ultimately I'm doing it because I see something in that person. I'm not going to do it just to be mean, just to be rude. I think it's keeping the standard, but it's because I see the standard inside that person. Can you tell us any anecdotes of those who've perhaps, or lessons you've learned, should we say, from experienced players in the past, which you found harder at the time, but perhaps in time grew to appreciate?

1:09:51Yeah, I'll never forget. It was one of my first trainings at Bayern. I remember it was a passing drill with Ayn Robben, or with the whole team, but Ayn Robben was the person in front of me. So ultimately, that's who I was passing the ball to. You've got to be very precise. If it wasn't on his left foot, he didn't necessarily want it. But again, it's just once you get to that level of professionalism, you can, I wouldn't say create your own rules, but you kind of create your own standards and you keep pushing those standards. And everybody knew to play to his left foot. And me being the new kid in, I didn't.

1:10:27And even though it seemed kind of simple, it was something that you really had to focus on. And so I think it's just understanding little things like that, understanding the people around you, how they take what they prefer. I think those things is what makes a good leader a leader. No, you can't just now I'm sure, you know, like you said, you have you have you have kids, you have two kids. And you know that maybe parenting one one way won't work with the other child. And so it's just I think that's what makes you a good parent. That's what makes, you know, I think that applies to every other thing in life.

1:11:00That's what makes a good leader a good leader. All right. Well, Chris Richards there, like we said, interesting season ahead for the U.S. man because a lot of changes at Crystal Palace, of course, none bigger than the fact that Oliver Glasner has left. And it has been a tough start to their Premier League season, especially recently against Manchester City, losing 4-1 at home. and he had a tough time containing that Manchester City, Xhaka. It's going to be an interesting season, though, overall, like I said. Yeah, it will be. Listen, there's no real shame in losing to Manchester City. I'll be honest, though, I think this is going to be a long and difficult season for Crystal Palace.

1:11:41Right now, despite the starts of the Hull Cities of this world, the three promoted teams are still favourites to go down. I think Crystal Palace will be in that mix. That is a very different kind of pressure. Chris Richards is talking about the successful Christopoulos and winning the Europa League or Conference League. A relegation battle, it takes a different type of metal about you. It'll be testing. Yeah, it will be testing. And when you think of that too, is Chris Richards probably a player you wanted to see in the transfer market, maybe for a move where he doesn't have to be facing a relegation battle potential.

1:12:26Considering the type of team that Crystal Palace is, that's what I thought would have happened. It's a proof of concept club. You do your time, it's a smart buy, they're going to sell you. The problem is they sold everybody around them. It's a new back line, a new coach. It's a new experience. They started off slow. Doesn't mean that's the way they're going to end. If I recall correctly, for a long time through the regular season, Crystal Palace was around the 10th, 11th, 12th position. And the relegation zone behind them was about four points. And if you go up, I believe everybody from sixth position on was about three points from them.

1:13:02So it was a very contested battle. But Shaq's right. It's very different when you're in mid-table and you're like, we could get relegated. And then knowing, hey, this is a real possibility. We've got to change the way we play. We've just got to survive. Chris Richards now is a veteran presence. He's one of the guys that they're going to have to lean on, and that's not an easy thing. Jack, where would you like to see him, do you think? I think Chris Richards is an incredibly talented player. I don't think he gets into one of the big six clubs. Back in Germany, of course, he has a history at Bayern Munich.

1:13:37Yeah, but I... I'm just saying! I'm just saying! I think he's established himself in the Premier League now. I think he is kind of the type of defender that does well in the Premier League. I don't see him one of the bigger clubs. But we were talking about Flo Balagan and Everton. That's a very good fitter, I think, for Chris Richards. The problem is when you're in the Premier League, your wages are different than anywhere else around the rest of the world. And if you're going to go somewhere else, you've got to go somewhere else with the idea of taking a massive pickup. Maybe it is the right thing to do for your playing career, but not essentially for your wallet.

1:14:17So it limits where you actually can go. It's not that he's not talented enough to go to any number of teams in La Liga or any number of teams in Serie A. It's just the money is different. And it's just this is what the Premier League has done. They've monopolized the players with the earning power. So it's very difficult and limits where you can go. All right. Well, we will see what happens there indeed. But for right now, guess what time is? It's time to run it back. And let's look in on another American, Aidan Morris at Middlesbrough, scoring this equalizer. Set up by Sebastian Berhalter right there.

1:14:55It's a golasso. It's a very well-taken strike. It's a good layoff right here by Berhalter. And then one-time left-footed finish. Four Americans on the roster at Middlesbrough. a lot of expectation around Merzburg, primarily from our own Kay Murray. Our Kay Murray, who stood us up because she's at a Hartford Yard Goats game. It's an important game. It's an important one, and this was an important goal for Ormiga Gonzalez, his first goal for Olympiacos. It's his first goal since, I gotta go back in the memory bank, but last season, Chivas' regular season, that's how long ago it's been. It's been a while indeed.

1:15:37Well, it's not been too long since this man found the back of the net. Julian Quinonez doing what he does best with this nice header. This really is a nice header. It's a cross-deliver with pace, gets across as man. But even so, a lot of work to do with that. That truly is a striker's finish. He's one of the guys I was really surprised that didn't make more moves in the transfer market. All right, well, from Americans and Mexicans on the pitch, let's talk about this American who is in management, Pellegrino Matarazzo and Real Sociedad going up against Celta de Vigo in La Liga action today. 12 minutes in, a chance here for La Reale, but a shot a save.

1:16:15Yeah, it's a good save. Arambrose swings it in. It's a good header. Keeper comes up big, gets down low, makes a massive save. 21st minute now, another chance here for Real Sociedad on the counter. Ollarsaval involved in this one, but the shot's saved. And then it goes over the bar. I'm not sure what the defender's doing under the pressure from Moskerson. Ollarsaval hits this first time. Catches the keeper moving slightly, but... You gotta put this away, Shaq, right? Yeah, and... That one needs to find the back of the net from Kubo. Well, Shaq is gonna love this game because our goalkeeper ends up with a lot of saves in this one.

1:16:59Just another Every day for us goalkeepers, Alexis. Goalkeepers just carrying everybody on their backs. All right, well, there's more La Liga coming your way on ESPN. Real Betis, Real Madrid, that is Friday, 3 p.m. Eastern time. And then Valencia against the champions, Barcelona, 10.15 a.m. Eastern time. That is on Sunday on ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app.

1:17:26All right, in case you missed it, And as we know, Lionel Messi has announced his international retirement from Argentina. And now Argentina, the league there, are pausing all matches in the 10th minute for a tribute. It's probably their greatest player of all time. Who's never played in the league. But still, it's his country's national league. He's never played in the league, though. Listen, I'm a big Messi fan. And respect to Messi, but this is a little much for a player who's ever played. I mean, his club career is not done yet. He may eventually go back home and close things out. Yeah, I doubt that.

1:18:06Played you in the 10th minute? Bring him on in the 10th minute. Summer on. While everybody's paused, bring him on. Don't give Chiqui Tapia and the Argyzian Federation any ideas. Don't forget, we're back. This Monday, we'll be looking back at the League's Cup and Armado Pedroso will be back.

1:18:56We'll be right back. to check projects off your list. Shop Labor Day savings at the Home Depot and gear up for fall projects with the right tools to keep your projects moving.