In short
USMNT November window roster preview (25 players) and debates over Gio Reyna’s return; plus other soccer news including Luis Suárez’s suspension and Lionel Messi’s Argentina friendly call-up.
Guests/backgrounds
Shaka Hislop (former pro goalkeeper, longtime analyst/commentator) and Herculez Gomez (“Herc,” former pro forward, analyst). They discuss roster decisions and player form.
Key claims
- Mauricio Pochettino calls Gio Reyna “special” and says Reyna’s limited club minutes due to injury aren’t a contradiction to “earn your place,” because the camp is a chance to assess him before March.
- Debate: Hislop/Herc argue Reyna must prove fitness and fit quickly; others say Pochettino is contradicting himself given Reyna’s lack of recent minutes.
- Matt Turner’s omission is questioned most: from World Cup starter/record-holder to outside the top four.
- Anthony Robinson’s knee situation is “beyond alarm” due to minimal minutes since injury.
- Number 9 race: Folarin Balogun leads if fit; Haji Wright second; Ricardo Pepé third; Patrick Agyemang as an alternate for a different “target man” profile.
Notable examples
- Reyna’s past impact moments (e.g., Nations League/qualifying memories referenced).
- Suárez: one-match ban for violent conduct; Inter Miami’s statement criticized as “amateurish.”
- Messi: named to Argentina’s friendly roster; discussion centers on whether he should skip travel given Inter Miami’s playoff schedule.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOUSMNT Roster Announcements
0:35 to 1:18
Discussion on Marisa Pochettino's latest player roster for USMNT.
“Camila Aguirre was voted to be among the best is one of the nominees.”
Pochettino on Gio Reyna
1:18 to 2:35
Pochettino speaks on the significance of Gio Reyna’s inclusion.
“Potch said that it was to give him a chance to work with his new coach at Juventus.”
Concerns About Gio's Playing Time
2:35 to 4:26
Analysis of Gio Reyna's limited playing time and its implications.
“to give the possibility to come with us and try to get motivated, to give the motivation to arrive with the possibility.”
Shaq on Reyna's Talent
4:26 to 5:26
Shaq emphasizes the need to give talented players opportunities.
“I say that it's important because we are so close and we are a coaching staff that we started one year ago.”
Contradictions in Pochettino's Message
5:26 to 7:48
Hosts discuss the contradictions in Pochettino's statements about players earning their spot.
“You have to give those kinds of talents a fair shot.”
Gio's Role in the Team
7:48 to 11:28
Hosts analyze what Gio needs to show to prove his worth to Pochettino.
“Yes, but I don't think he's undermining the team because of what Shaq just said, because of what he says.”
Joe Scali's Consistency
11:28 to 13:13
Discussion centers on Joe Scali’s performances and his potential impact.
“Let us not forget, last March, Giovanni Reina was with the U.S.”
Opportunity for Bubble Players
13:13 to 14:00
Discussion on the importance of the upcoming international window for fringe players.
“Because you already, Joe Scali went to one World Cup.”
Impact of International Window
14:00 to 14:36
Discuss the importance of the upcoming international window for players.
“you win it's your first win, and make an impact here.”
Concerns for U.S. Men's National Team Roster
15:20 to 19:39
Analyzing the players missing from the U.S. roster and injury issues.
“Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, Anthony Robinson.”
Show all 25 chapters
The Number Nine Position Battle
19:39 to 22:54
Examining the competition for the number nine position in the team.
“And we can go back to the summer, this summer, in which players were heavily criticized.”
Concerns Over Anthony Robinson
22:54 to 28:00
Discussion on the injury concerns and significance of Anthony Robinson.
“Balogun showed that he's willing to do it and did it wonderfully well.”
Concerns Over Anthony Robinson's Injury
28:00 to 29:04
Discussion on the implications of Anthony Robinson's injury for the USMNT.
“And you're starting right back, Sergino Des, are both coming off of knee injuries and you don't know what they look like if they're not played together on the U.S.”
World Cup Readiness and Player Fitness
29:04 to 31:48
Analyzing the fitness levels of key players ahead of the World Cup.
“But by all accounts, Anthony Robinson's injury and procedure this summer was minor.”
Recent Action and Highlights in Soccer
31:48 to 32:04
Recap of recent soccer matches and standout performances.
“Everybody needs to be alarmed about this.”
Champions League Performances
32:04 to 33:59
Analysis of players' performances in the Champions League.
“and check out some action that we saw the last few days.”
Debating FIFA Coach Nominations
33:59 to 36:53
Discussing the legitimacy of FIFA nominees and their achievements.
“Do you want to talk about Javier Aguirre?”
The Value of Coaching Recognition
36:53 to 39:04
Examining the criteria behind coaching awards and their significance.
“Are we talking about the best goal scorer like Cristiano Ronaldo?”
Luis Suarez's Suspension Impact
40:31 to 42:00
Analyzing the consequences of Luis Suarez's ban for Inter Miami.
“From first call to final invoice, Service Titan is the only integrated intelligence that automates your entire workflow.”
Analyzing Luis Suarez's Suspension Impact
42:00 to 46:38
Discussion on Luis Suarez's suspension and its implications for Inter Miami.
“it was for Luis Suarez not to be involved in this game three and if that costs Inter Miami that will be the sole focus on on Inter Miami's feeling.”
Lionel Messi's International Commitments
46:38 to 51:20
Conversation about Messi's upcoming international duties and their impact on Inter Miami.
“I'm wondering, too, because we know that, or at least I know that players can't necessarily talk about refereeing.”
Lionel Messi's Entrepreneurial Ambitions
51:20 to 56:07
Exploration of Messi's business ventures and plans post-retirement.
“Riegel Paul and Messi and those guys, they're going to come right back into it as if they just played a game a week.”
World Cup Kits Discussion
57:33 to 1:02:42
The hosts debate and rank their top five kits for the upcoming World Cup.
“All right, welcome to a very special edition of Drippin' or Trippin'.”
U-17 World Cup Highlights
1:02:42 to 1:04:54
Coverage of the U-17 World Cup games, focusing on key moments and players.
“If somebody said, close your eyes, think about this.”
NWSL Playoffs Preview
1:04:55 to 1:07:26
Discussion about upcoming NWSL playoff matches and player highlights.
“This was only in the group stage, actually, in USA.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:08Hey, happy Thursday to you all. Welcome to Football America. They're back. Business casual Shaka Hislop, Herculez Gomez. I really like that nickname for you guys. I was excited when I saw both of you walk in. What? Business casual business? Well, I don't know. Business and I'm wearing jeans, so business casual myself. all in one as we have all in one show for you all coming up. Camila Aguirre was voted to be among the best is one of the nominees. Yes, that is true. Also, this is also true. Not the first time we've heard it. Luis Suarez is at it again now with a one match suspension. We'll tell you all about it.
0:51But first, we want to tell you all about Marisa Pochettino's latest player roster that we're going to see here in the November window. 25 players for this one, where the USMNT will play Uruguay and Paraguay. Names like Giovanni Reina, Joe Scali reappeared on Potch's list. Noticable absences include Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, Anthony Robinson, all dealing with some physical issues, coming back from them, managing them. Weston McKinney also absent. Potch said that it was to give him a chance to work with his new coach at Juventus. But first, let's listen to USMNT's coach on the roster.
1:28I think we already know the potential of Shio and the talent. He has enormous talent and it's true that he's not playing too much. But I think it's a good opportunity in November because after until March we are not going to be together again and to have the possibility and not too many possibilities to see him again and to try to share time with him. More than to perform on the pitches, it's more about to be with him, to share time, to know better him. I think he's a special player. And we know all the situation last season. That was difficult for him. He didn't play too much. He was injured.
2:18And I think now he's doing a great effort to change the environment, to change the club. And the effort to be fit, to have the possibility to play in the national team, I think, is a thing to say, you know, to give the possibility to come with us and try to get motivated, to give the motivation to arrive with the possibility. and the belief that he can compete for a place in the World Cup. I think it's no doubt that he's a special player. He's a very talented player. I think that is why we need to be open and to provide, even if he's not playing too much because he suffered. He started playing, but then he was injured.
3:05Now we start to be in fit again. I think it can be a boost of motivation for him to be with us. That is an important thing for us. You have said in the past that players need to earn their place in this team. They need to perform with their clubs. So when you call in a player like Gio, who hasn't been playing much, do you worry at all that that contradicts or undermines your message? No. No, no, no. I was playing. Pepe is not playing too much last month. I came from an injury. Scully was playing and not playing. I don't know, I think we can go to different players than sometimes struggle to play.
3:52I think the most important is to try to help them. What I say, the ideal situation is that all our players, nearly 100 players that we were chasing and following and assessing, and we analyze every week, The most important is if they play every single game, it should be amazing for us. But I think we need to understand that sometimes some players struggle to play, but can be important for us. That is why it's not contradictory, my message. It's not a contradiction. I say that it's important because we are so close and we are a coaching staff that we started one year ago. And for different reasons and circumstances, we didn't have the possibility to see all the players with us, perform with us and behave with us and to explain how we expect from them.
4:48That is why it's a good opportunity now to play a player like Chio. That is special. I think we are going to agree that it's a special player to give the possibility to be with us. That is not a contradiction message. I mean, fair question, right? Because we haven't seen a lot of minutes from Giovanni Reina. We have seen him injured a lot. Isn't getting a lot of starting opportunities here with Gladbach. But with all that Mauricio Pochettino said, Shaq, what stands out to you the most? Well, what stands out to me the most is Giovanni Reina. You have to give those kinds of talents a fair shot. and to the question about Pochettino contradicting himself, sometimes he does get himself tied up in things that he said, coming back to haunt him a little.
5:41But I'm on the side of talented players, generally, you can bend the rules with. And there's no question in my mind that Gio Reyna is an incredible talent when he's fit. And I say when he's fit, meaning not just when he's not injured, but when he's fit. And I say that because last time we sat in the studio, we discussed Bear Holter's comments about his training um when Gio Rina is at his best when he's fit when he's firing and ready to go he is a huge asset to have trouble is you just have not seen that for far too long given some of the players that were left out for a number of reasons which I'm sure we'll discuss um it's an opportunity for him to play in any number of positions and again, prove his worth, prove his fitness and how he fits into Pochettino's plans at least in the short term in a year's time.
6:37I guess the problem here is that we could make a logical argument that Juarena peaked at 17 right now from what we've seen. And that's not a good thing. I happen to fall in line that side of the camp with Shaq of this is a very special player. And by the way, so does Pochettino because he said the word special literally like seven times. Okay? Is he contradicting himself? Absolutely. He's absolutely 100 % contradicting himself. It's not the same situation to Joe Scali to a Ricardo Pepe. The question was about players earning their way into camp. Ricardo Pepe was injured. Guess what he does when he gets back on the field?
7:16He scores goals. He gets on the field and he scores goals. He produces. Joe Scali was starting and then not starting, he says. Joe Scali's played eight of nine Bundesliga games. Started seven. Started seven. Seems like a pretty consistent player to me. And by the way, maybe the only player in this pool who's been consistent in a top five league, not for one year, not for two years, not for three years, for probably five years. Consistent in a top five league. And he happens to be on a team right now that is struggling. They both are, okay? But when it comes to Gio Reyna, he's absolutely contradicting himself.
7:51I don't think undermining. That is different. He's a prisoner of his own words. Yes, but I don't think he's undermining the team because of what Shaq just said, because of what he says. He's a special player, and I think he sees the pool. I think he realizes not a lot of special players in this pool, not a lot of players that could be impactful in some stage or moment in a game in this pool, And if I really feel this is a special player, I need to bring him in and see exactly what the damage is. What can he give me? Because he said himself, the next time we may be together with these European players will be March.
8:33So I've got zero issue with Gio Reyna coming in. But Maricinho Pochettino is contradicting himself. Absolutely. What does Pochettino need to see? Because you said he has to prove himself in this window. but what specifically does he have to show Mauricio Pochettino in this camp? Show his natural talents, show that he's a team player, show that he can fit in with some of those who may not be in this squad, but you figure you can write them into the starting 11 right now. Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman. Where does G Arena fit in alongside those in terms of the U.S.'s attacking midfield threat.
9:18Can he be a complement to those two? The other aspect to this, again, as much as four years ago was four years ago and you're trying to move past that, it's important in tournaments like this that you show that you are a part of a team, that it isn't just about you and your extraordinary talents, it's how you complement this dressing room in its entirety again if Gio Reyna does that does all those things he gives Pochettino no real choice about his selection and including him in March and dare I say next summer the workout it's got to show that he's different that he is special because it's one thing for us here on this side of the camera this side of fence to say Joe Reyna is special because we've seen it from him in the Bundesliga.
10:10We've seen it from him in World Cup qualifying. But you have to prove it today because what we saw, those moments of you being special, of scoring goals in Nations League finals, of being in the Azteca and going through players, 50-yard darting runs, and putting it on a platter for Jordan Pifak. We've seen that in the past. Marisa Pochino has not seen that. So you've got to prove you are different. We'll have the nine conversation in a second. But I firmly believe if he's going to play a 9 and two 10s, because you don't have wingers in this pool anymore, because you don't have wingers in these formations that he deploys anymore, there's two 10s.
10:45One 10 is already taken. That's going to be Christian Pulisic. The other 10, are you trying to tell me it's going to be Weston McKinney? I don't think so. Is it Alejandro Sendejas? We will see. Is it a Brendan Aronson? I'm not too sure. Is it Diego Luna? Is it Malik Tillman? And if it's one of those two, can they stay healthy? and if it's Gio Reyna, can you show that when you're in the game, you can do what the game demands? We see how special you are going forward. Can you be special going forward, but know that you have to come back because in the World Cup, you're going to play against teams that are going to be better than you.
11:17And you might have to be on the defensive. You might have to be in the back foot. And when you're in the back foot and you release, how can you be that special player? He's got to show that in a limited amount of time because he may not have that time come March. And that's a reality. Let us not forget, last March, Giovanni Reina was with the U.S. Men's National Team. Last March, they played in the semifinal Panama. Panama's B team. And when he needed a goal, 0-0, he looked at the bench and saw Giovanni Reina and said, yeah, no, you need to be different. Yeah, you're going to take a player to the World Cup because of the moment he's having, not because of the potential that you see.
11:55And then you need to see it now, which you are seeing from someone like Joe Scali, Herc, I want to take that back to what you said about him being the most consistent player that you're seeing in the top five European leagues at the moment. In playing time. Well, in playing time. Yes, yes. But how can he bring that consistency and show it at the level that Mauricio Portettino is expecting now at the U.S. Men's National? Well, I think the one thing that Joe Scali has going for himself that very few other players in this pool have going for themselves is his versatility. This U.S. Men's National, I look at this roster, it doesn't really scream, you know, three centerbacks.
12:26It might scream, you're going to play a back line of four. It might scream, you're going to play with a traditional right back. It might scream, I need somebody who maybe at a time can play as a left back or as a right center back. That's Joe Scali in a nutshell. Joe Scali's played so many different positions, and he's played at a high level. Now, whatever Joe Scali did in the past, Marisa Pochettino, I don't think was sporting. You need to get back on the good graces. It's part of life. This isn't just football. It's part of life. There are going to come moments in your life as a young person, as a middle-aged person, as an old person.
12:59You're going to wrong somebody. You're going to do something to rub them the wrong way. You've got to come back somehow in their good graces. I don't think it's a talent issue, an effort issue, a tactical issue with Joe Scali. Whatever is done, you need to bury the hatchet with them. You need to find some common ground. And you need to prove you belong. Because you already, Joe Scali went to one World Cup. But he didn't play in that World Cup. and as a player you dream of getting to the show but you dream of playing in the show to come so close and not get on the field, that's got to weigh heavily on Joe Scali, so you've got to do whatever it takes and prove you belong Shaq?
13:38I fully agree with everything Herc just said, I think that there's an opportunity here for both Scali and Reina with Munch and Gladbach and as much as the season so far has been awful, they won their first game, both of them on the park, that gives them an opportunity to maybe, again, have more significant minutes because of the old cliche, you don't change your winning team, you win it's your first win, and make an impact here. And I think that's the important thing for both these players, making an impact with Pochettino. How you do that, there are very few opportunities left between now and the next summer, as Pochettino continues to mention, and you've got to make every single moment count.
14:21This international window absolutely counts for them both. And it's the opportunity for these bubble players, we don't know who that is yet, to take advantage of the fact that a lot of these bigger names aren't theirs. Grab a cotton candy five-hour energy shot and get into that sweet life. You get that classic throwback cotton candy flavor, but with zero sugar and a five-hour energy boost. A tasty caffeine kick that satisfies that sweet tooth without any of that sugar guilt aftermath. Bring on that sweetness with Cotton County 5-Hour Energy shots, available online at 5hourenergy.com or Amazon.
14:57So your team just got knocked out of the FIFA World Cup? Brutal, right? Well, the good news is you're not done. It's time to jump on the Lays bandwagon. And nobody loses on the bandwagon. No upsets, no heartbreak, no stress. Only good times. So join Lays on the bandwagon. Grab a bag of Lays. Get ready for the next match. Cheer for whoever you want. Lays keeps the party going. Lays, official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. I mentioned a few of them, right? Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, Malik Tillman, Anthony Robinson. We'll hear about Potsch here in a few minutes about his situation because it is concerning names like Johnny Guardoso.
15:38who we know has also been dealing with a physical issue, and that's a problem, too, with America, especially coming up this weekend. But Matt Turner as well, another name that we're not seeing on the list, and it's not necessarily because of maybe an excuse or an injury that we were talking about. But who's missing out the most in this window, Hurt, that we're not seeing? Well, if you look at the names that you just mentioned, and he gives a justification for all those names. Malik Tillman's coming back from injury. Alejandro Senejas is coming back from injury. Christian Pulisic is coming back from injury.
16:15Johnny Cardoso is coming back from injury. Weston McKinney, he's just had a coaching change. And Marisa Pochettino says, I know who Weston is. I know what Weston can give me. I don't want to move Weston around and jeopardize his situation and their new coach. Everybody has a legitimate excuse as to why they're not here, except Matt Turner. And I'm not an advocate for Matt Turner to be the number one. on the U.S. Men's National Team. But how do you go from being World Cup starter, record holder in the U.S. Men's National Team at a World Cup, solid number one, to not being one of the best four players in the goalkeeping pool?
16:53How do you fall off a cliff like that with the head coach? I don't think it's just a confidence issue. I don't really think it's a style issue either because I don't think stylistically these goalkeepers are that different. If I'm Matt Turner, I am scared that my World Cup dream is gone. Matt Turner right now is training with Crystal Palace. He took because in his eyes, Mauricio Pochettino said, if you're in Major League Soccer and you are playing, I'll call you up as if you're not playing in Europe over those guys. And he took it to heart and he went back to Major League Soccer on a loan. He's still Crystal Palaces.
17:34He's still there. He's training right now with the hopes that something happens. But how are you not one of the four guys in this roster? That's what I don't understand. If I'm Matt Turner, I'm picking up the phone. I'm hoping to talk to him because I don't understand this. The same way I didn't understand Zach Steffen not making the World Cup. Because if you tell me, hey, he wasn't going to be the starting goalkeeper, I'd say fine. But how does he go from being number one all cycle till to not being one of the top three goal? It's the same thing now, and it's happening to Matt Turner. I don't understand it.
18:06Do you understand it, Chuck? I can't. And I'd be very concerned if I were Matt Turner or a member of his camp. Now, if Friis were left out of this squad, you see it very differently from Matt Turner being left out, kind of giving the omissions because of injury, and think Friis, who's been Pochettino's preferred number one for some time. If he's left out, you think, okay, well, you know, he's given others an opportunity here. But Martino, who has not been favored for far too long, I'm sure, from Martino's perspective, to now not being in the top four at all, that is a huge concern. Now, if I'm Martino in his camp, that's sending all kinds of alarm bells.
18:49And he should be concerned. He should be concerned about whether he makes this pool in, what is it, eight months' time, nine months' time, whatever it is from now. And this is not taking any away from the players who are called. and Jonathan Klinsman had a ridiculous season in Serie A, was named the goalkeeper of the year. Those are good things. That's fine. But you have to seriously ask yourself questions of how you fell off so hard if you're Matt Turner. And another thing I'll just add here, because I feel like it's been going under the radar, is a Yunus Musa. Yunus Musa was a player that, for his age, had started more games as a teenager than any other player in U.S.
19:28Men's National Team history. He was a player with a high ceiling. He was a player that many thought would be a prime player in the center of the midfield for the U.S. Minnesota national team for years to come. And he's nowhere to be found. And we can go back to the summer, this summer, in which players were heavily criticized. Christian Pulisic, one of them. But the other one with him was Yunus Musa, and he's nowhere to be found. So if you're Eunice Musa, you have to be questioning the decision you made for whatever reason you made it, because eight months out, this looks very remote. Yeah, and it kind of takes us back to the response that Mauricio Pochettino had with our Jeff Carlisle at the time being Eunice Musa, one of the names that were left out of the roster.
20:15So the same concerns kind of go in through here. But there are many concerns that Mauricio Pochettino has to take care of, of course, not only in this window with the limited time that he has with the roster. Herc, I'm going to start with you because we have to talk about this number nine position. That is still the big question mark, right? The good news is Ricardo Pepe is back from injury. But how are you seeing that battle kind of shaping up for the number? I think it's Foller and Balogans to lose. You know, Foller and Balogans showed not just last camp, but the one before that, a certain understanding with a certain number 10, which is Christian Pulisic.
20:45He showed that. And I firmly, this is without knowing who you're going to play. The draw has not been out yet. but I firmly believe the U.S. men's national team won't be the most skilled team when they're on the field. They may be second best a lot of times. So if you're the number nine and if you're Maris Portugino, you have to understand that the number nine you do choose has to have a certain ability to create for himself, a certain ability to run, to move, a certain ability to link up and play, a certain ability to give you something honest on the defensive side. And right now, out of the three that we're seeing, which is Foller and Balogun, Haji Wright, and Ricardo Pepe, He is A, fit, B, plain and informed, and C, giving you something recently with the U.S.
21:26men's national team. I think it's an easy choice in my mind. He's got pole position. And number two right now would have to be Haji Wright for what he showed in last camp as well. And while I am a major Ricardo Pepe stan, I believe in this kid, and I feel he was done so wrong last World Cup by not going. He's coming back from injury. And he's not proven to be a nine at the club level today that starts day in, day out with no muscular fatigue, with no residual pain in that knee. And until he does and fills that goal up like he's accustomed to, but for both club and country, that'll be the same case.
22:01But he's back where he should be on the national team. Jack? Agreed. You're absolutely right. This really is a battle against Salud. and listen, as long as he stays fit, as long as he maintains this level of form, I don't think Pochettino has much of a choice, unless Hadjiraj and Ricciardo Pepe somehow manages to score two goals every single weekend from here on in. I think the most important thing from a Balogun perspective is what he saw last international window. I thought his performances then, not just in front of goal, got his goal, but his work, the other side of the ball, stood him out ahead of everybody else because to Hirk's earlier point, that's going to have to be a role for every single player with the U.S.
22:43Men's National Team next World Cup. As you go deeper in the competition, as the U.S. expects to go, more and every single player is going to have to put in a shift on that other side of the ball. Balogun showed that he's willing to do it and did it wonderfully well. And I think that, more than anything, stood him out ahead of everybody else. Now, we could argue about who's the better finisher and who's the other goal scorer and records. Whichever way you want. But Balogun has certainly distinguished himself in doing the other side, doing the other part of the game better than I think the other two certainly have shown.
23:21Yeah, and when Marisol Potitino does his homework, I'm sure he'll go back to the conclusion that you've had many times. That it's not just about, like you said, who's the better finisher. But Balogun combines really well. I know you like that with Christian Pulisic specifically. Yeah, I think he's separated himself from the pack and his ability to play off the best player you have on the team, to understand the best player you have in your starting 11. And I think as that progresses, that relationship and understanding, they will get better. And that's going to only benefit, you know, following Balogun.
23:51So there is one name that, I mean, you mentioned Haji Wright, right? Being as the number two, you said. So it's Balogun, Haji, and then Ricardo Pepe. That would be my depth chart right now, yes. And you're leaving out Patrick Haji, man? With all due respect to Patrick Ajiman, he's not in my striker pool. And I say this, if you're taking three strikers, I think Patrick Ajiman is on the outside looking in. The best thing Patrick Ajiman has going for himself is his profile. It's a distinct profile that's not easy for anybody to handle, especially if you're down a goal, excuse me, if you're down a goal, need a goal, sometimes route one, sometimes direct football, Sometimes a big body in the box does well.
24:33And if you look at the goals he has scored in the championship, and I'll talk about the very first goal he scored in the championship, he literally dunked on somebody inside the six. That's the type of big profile he is. So that's the most distinguishing part about his game compared to the other nines in this pool is his profile. And he's the alternate, if any of the ones that we mentioned drop out. Yeah, he's an alternate. Listen, I'm with Herc on this. Ajermann comes because he offers something different from the other three. If Balagan isn't fit or unavailable for whatever reason, I'd go with Hadji Wright.
25:03If Balagan and Wright aren't available, I'd go with Pepe. If all three aren't available, then you go with Hadji Mank. Whether you include him as part of your pool ahead of maybe a Ricardo Pepe, for argument's sake, it's only because he offers something that nothing of the other three offers. To Herc's point, that big target man up front, you need a goal later on, just hang the ball up from wide areas, let him attack it, and hope for something from that. You don't get that from any of the other three. That's his value here. Whether it's enough to see him included, Pochettino will let us know, I'm sure.
25:44Very Peter Crouch of the way that you're talking about Patrick Gajimang, to just be that man waiting for the cross in. Peter Crouch is a talented player. He got the job done. If Patrick Gagimane could parlay his profile, his size, into making it to a World Cup, he's going to play. There's going to be moments where you're going to need that situation, and trust me, they're going to be asking for a player that has to come in. He's just going to take advantage of his moment. Yeah, a lot of difficult decisions here from Mauricio Pochettino. There is one big concern, though, for him, and they've admitted it now openly because of Anthony Robbins' situation.
26:15We're going a little bit back here on the line. His knee issues have actually sidelined him for several occasions here with Fulham and this is what Pocz has said. The situation is, Anthony, we are in contact with Fulham, our medical staff, with the medical staff of Fulham. Yes, we are worried, of course, I think, because he is now for a long period that cannot play or when played after he didn't feel comfortable. Yes, of course. Of course, we want a quick recover and be ready again to play and to compete. But at the moment, he is still recovering from his problem. I mean, Herc, calm or alarm saying that he's worried about Anthony Robinson?
Read the full transcript
27:09Oh, we're beyond alarm. Anthony Robinson, listen, he's 28 years old, and on his best day, his healthiest day, he is top three most important players in this pool. He's a leader. He's a force down that left-hand side. He's a very versatile player, and he's a hell of a left back. I would argue last year he was top three left backs in the Premier League, the best league in the world. Anthony Robinson has a knee injury. And since that knee injury, he's played in one cup game, 90 minutes, and three Premier League games for a grand total of 61 minutes. And he's played in zero U.S. men's announcing matches.
27:53You're eight months from a World Cup. And the fact that you're eight months from the World Cup and you're starting left back, Premier League caliber. You're player of the year. Player of the year. And you're starting right back, Sergino Des, are both coming off of knee injuries and you don't know what they look like if they're not played together on the U.S. Men's National Team since God knows when, you should be beyond worried if you're Mauricio Pochettino, if you're a U.S. Men's National Team fan or anybody who thinks this team or wishes this team to do well because of the importance of these players and much so important player like Anthony Robinson who was in the prime of his life, his career, who had a ridiculous season and now you're hoping he's just anywhere around the same physically same type of player as he was before the injury and I'm not even talking about him getting the rust off I'm talking you're praying that there's no structural damage in that knee you're praying that he can become the same player physically and work his way back into it we're beyond or he should be beyond worried for Anthony Robinson and what could end up being a very important player yeah not ideal shock no it's not not by by any stretch of of any imagination.
29:05Now, again, somebody as talented as Anthony Robinson, you want to say, we're eight months out from the World Cup, nothing to panic about, take a time, he'll be fit, he's getting the best treatment, and all that comes along with it. But by all accounts, Anthony Robinson's injury and procedure this summer was minor. Now, if you have a minor procedure in the summer and it's taking two or three months now into the season probably more into the fourth month of the Premier League season and it's still not right you every time you play on it there there are follow-on issues from a minor procedure that sends all kinds of alarm bells ringing now if you know it's a major procedure and you know it's going to take six to eight months you're prepared for that, comes back from it.
29:59But a minor procedure, taking four and going in, well, beginning of the fourth month, and still no end in sight, that for me is even more concerning than the other scenario. Right to be alarmed. This is a player that there were massive transfer reports. Liverpool, other teams. Incredible talent. Incredible talent, but the money that was being reported, and then you said, well, there's a knee issue he needs to take care of. To Shaq's point, if it's a minor knee issue, that deal would have happened. Yeah. Some deal would have gone through. It didn't materialize. And here we are today wondering what's going on, which leads many to wonder what is going on inside that knee.
30:48you're talking to a guy that's had three different knee surgeries and three different parts structurally of the knee, whether it's ligaments, cartilage, meniscus, or all together. It's very difficult to feel yourself after the first. It's very difficult to feel yourself getting back into the season. Can you do it in eight months? Yes, you can. Should you be worried if you're Marisa Pochettino? Yeah, as well. Yeah, absolutely. Because it's not only even thinking about who's going to go in his place. It's your plan B if you're going to take him and hope and pray that he can play every single game.
31:28But that's something that's just kind of unsustainable and not really a smart way to think in a World Cup. And exactly. And to your point, we were talking about playing a game a week at this point, which you can't do. And setting our sights in a World Cup where you're playing every, what, four days, five days? Four days. That is, you know. In an expanded tournament. Exactly. Exactly. It's, yeah. Yeah. Everybody needs to be alarmed about this. I mean, with such a talented player, obviously there's never a good time to get injured. But if your national team coach is saying that just a few months away from the World Cup, definitely not ideal.
32:03All right, we're going to run it back now and check out some action that we saw the last few days. Starting with the man that we were just talking about, Herc with fuller and Balogun who scores. Oh, keeper. No, no, I'm kidding. This is a hell of a goal. That's a good finish. This is what you're taught to do if you're in that. If you can't go far post, you got to go high and near. Go high and high. Oh, my goodness. And he does so well here, Shaq. There's not a lot of space for him to hit here. Really not a lot of space for him to hit. Wonderful strike. Well taken. All right, more Champions League action here.
32:36Let's take it to Ricardo Fefe with the late equalizer here, Shaq. Yeah, and Ricardo Pepe, again, right place, right time. These instincts from Pepe, it's what sets him apart. That somehow the ball seems to find him. That's a trademark. I'm not sure how you coach, but somehow every good striker has. I saw this stat, Optistat, that multiple late equalizers in the stoppage time, only Cristiano Ronaldo said, Curtis, he nailed it! They do listen to you on the track. Wow! This is insane. And this is Ricardo Pepe in a nutshell. The goal is very opportunistic. It's a very opportunistic goal, but because he's a goal scorer.
33:23He's got this ability in his back. Either you have it or you don't. I'm sorry. There are certain players that they're good goal scorers. They're good forwards. But it doesn't mean they're goal scorers. This kid is a goal scorer. The ball finds him. Yeah, and he's not surprised when the ball just appears right there in front of him, which is a very interesting skill to have. All right, let's take it to the best FIFA nominees. We're not surprised to see names like Arnestad, Roberto Martinez, Sensual Maresca, Hansi Flick, Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta. What's Mikel Arteta doing there? Oh, come on. Well, okay.
34:01Do you want to ask that question? Do you want to talk about Javier Aguirre? No, Javier Aguirre. On this list, okay. Anger the producer. You know what? You decide, yeah, exactly.
34:12hark are you cool with it i you know what i i'm cool with i'll tell you i'll tell you a quick story okay uh 2012 came about and they do these like i ff hs yeah yeah yeah yeah and it came out that i was i was one of the best goal scorers in the world and i went huh because i had scored in april 1st no exactly because i had I had scored in official club competitions, whether it was CONCACAF Champions League or also with the national team. So it ended up being like, statistically, I was top four goal scorers in the world. And they put me up better than Neymar. And I'm sitting there having a laugh.
34:52Like, yeah, okay. I'm playing in Mexico. These guys are playing champions. There's a big difference here. This is the same thing with Javier Aguirre. You just saw the titles there. Javier Aguirre, whether you want to acknowledge it or not, as something important, he won the Nations League with Mexico. And he won the Gold Cup with Mexico. Are you acknowledging it as something important? I don't think it's as important as winning the Champions League. I don't think it's as important as winning the Premier League. I don't think it's as important as winning 100 different things. But when you look, Mikel Arteta's there and he's got zero titles.
35:21And I say this respectfully. So I can see why maybe they say, hey, there's no other coach in international football who won two titles in a year. But he did something right. I could see why they would say, let's put him up there. I'm not saying he's at the level of Luis Enrique. I'm not saying he's at the level of Mikel Arteta. That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm just saying, based off their wacky criteria, I could see why he's there. I'm with Hirk on this. You understand? When you see the explanation as offered, it makes sense. You win the Concord Nations League and the Gold Cup, and especially this year where there's no Euros, there's no Copa America.
36:00Exactly. All of a sudden, this stands out. You know, Roberto Martinez is there for Portugal winning the Nations League. I'm not sure how prestigious that is either. But he's there. In an absence of other major titles and awards, those things kind of stand out. So you understand why Anastasia is there. You understand why Luis Enrique is there. I question why Maresca is there. Club World Cup. But again, how prestigious is that? was the first version that we saw this summer. Depends on who you're asking. Right, exactly. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm not sure how prestigious that is. But if they can be there, Javier Aguirre can share that scene.
36:46I'm more interested in the reaction of this. To me, it says more about you when you react to this, when you just say, well, look, Shaq just explained it very eloquently, very well about international competitions are lack thereof and here's a guy who wins two trophies it's it's very simple to me it should not be that much to get worked up about and yet a lot of people got worked up about this for for for whatever reason i don't know nobody's saying he's on the level of a but he's saying he's gonna win it well nobody's saying that he's the same coach as the luis enrique exactly that's what i this is this to me is a statistical award almost allow me to play devil's advocate here a little bit okay Because to me, it's kind of when we're talking about like the most valuable player, right?
37:31Are we talking about the best goal scorer like Cristiano Ronaldo? Or are we talking about a team that or a player that really had to carry his team, right? And had to do it on his own. I'm not saying Javier Aguirre had to do this on his own. Oh, he definitely changed Mexico. Exactly. Maybe with a very limited Mexico in the last few years, he's kind of found the best players in players that maybe with another coach wouldn't have performed as well. You're not playing devil's advocate. You're exactly agreeing with what we're saying. I think you're right. I think that's... Maybe it's the same thing with Mikel Arteta, right?
38:05Having to deal with a lot of injuries last season. He was very limited at one point in the year. He's still in second place again. Why are you seeing a new breath? I don't know why we're talking about Javier Aguirre. I don't know why we're talking about Mikel Arteta. But it's... No. Miguel Arteta's... You know what I mean, though? I'm sorry? You know what I mean, though? I do know what you mean. I do know what you mean. Absolutely, absolutely. Very different from Aguirre, because Miguel Arteta again came in second. I mean, he had a very good squad who ran out of steam. But, Miguel Aguirre, to your point, this Mexico team was coming through his darkest period.
38:43I'm sure the people who voted aren't thinking, well, this Mexico team is coming through his darkest period, and look what he did with, you know. Having the big picture, right? They don't have the big picture. Honestly, I don't understand why this is a popularity contest. The majority of these awards, people get so worked up about it. Yeah, just let him be there, guys. Just let him be. But, yeah, we'll have to see how that. I mean, if he wins, that'll be a completely different conversation. No, we ain't going to win. They didn't wish to be angry. Oh, man. The reason to smile, though, here we have La Liga action.
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40:49Luis Suarez says that again, he received a one-match ban and will miss Inter-Miami's definitive Game 3 against Nashville after kicking Andy Nahar in the second half in Game 2 last Saturday. The MLS Disciplinary Committee stated Suarez's suspension was due to, quote, violent conduct, while Miami's statement in part said it accepts and respects the decision from the league including it, wishes to, quote, express its concern about the president's scent by re-referring a play that had already, I want to finish this part, that had already been judged by the match officials and VAR. Is this something, nothing, or everything, Shaq?
41:25It's one of two things. It's either nothing or everything. And it all depends on that result against Nashville. Into Miami go through, it's nothing. into Miami stumble again against Nashville don't go through all of a sudden this is a whole lot more than everything this is this is where into Miami season has hinged whether Luis Suarez was on the park or not and how ridiculous uh can I even call it a challenge how ridiculous an incident it was for Luis Suarez not to be involved in this game three and if that costs Inter Miami that will be the sole focus on on Inter Miami's feeling. Shaq's talking about the aftermath of the incident and what's going to come of it.
42:21Luis Suarez won't be on the field and that's fair. That can cost Inter Miami and I understand what Shaq's saying and I think he's right there. I'm going to go with everything in the way that this is handled by everybody. The fact that VAR went back, looked at it and said, nah, nothing happened here, nothing to see here. And didn't red card him is shameful. The fact... Yellow card either. Yeah, no card. This is clearly he's kicking out at Andy Nicar. And clearly, Luis Suarez isn't a first time offender. Not even this season. Right, yeah. Luis Suarez created I gotta this is a timeline in Major League Soccer but I want to focus on Luis Suarez.
43:18He is and I said this on social media one of the greatest nines of his generation true but also one of the dirtiest players that's ever played the game. Multiple Biden incidents, different eras, different competitions, different stages, a spitting incident, racist allegations and punishment. Now this, he's a dirty player. I have no issue separating the great player, the great nine that he is with a dirty player that he also is and is going to cost his team. what's worse out of all this is the pathetic excuse of a statement from inter miami
44:07precedent's already been set they've done this before they retroactively view plays all the time yeah for a club that presumes to have grand stature worldwide come out with one of the stupidest communications that I've ever seen. Come read it again if you want. Do not. That to me is everything a club should not be. Agreed. And it's shameful. I don't think anybody's going to say he didn't deserve to get sent off. So I was talking to producer Veto about this because that really stood out to me as well. And it's as if I insulted her, which never happens. And I know that I'm wrong, but I still don't want to apologize and say, well, I'm sorry you were offended by what I said.
44:54And it's a cop-out, Shaq. It's a cop-out, right? Just leave it as it is. And if you're going to say that, handle it that way internally with the league and don't put it in a statement. Accept the punishment and move on. I'm not sure how you see that incident and try to defend it. When you find yourself trying to defend the indefensible, you always end up putting your foot in your mouth. And to Herc's point, you have a club the size of Inter-Miami with all that they propose to be. And that is the amateurish statement that you come out with. I just don't. I just don't get it. You know what it screams to me?
45:37Ignorance. There have been some people within the Inter-Miami franchise who have worked in Major League Soccer in different clubs and have been shipped out. and income people who may be good business people in other parts of the world, but have no idea to the rules and relegations, relegations, excuse me, of Major League Soccer to say, well, you can't question a play and go back in video and then punish them. This isn't that Major League Soccer's done for as long as I can remember. Major League Soccer around the world, too. But what I'm saying is this is just ignorant not knowing that this exists.
46:11It's ridiculous. It's absolutely ridiculous. It's everything about it. But the Shaq's case, they could very well, like Luis Suarez, for sometimes only having one leg, he's been a very good footballer. And they are going to miss him in this game. Yeah. I would argue they're going to miss him in that final third. And Messi's not going to have good old faithful right there. They could very well lose a game by not having the quality of Luis Suarez up front. I'm wondering, too, because we know that, or at least I know that players can't necessarily talk about refereeing. I don't know where this kind of fits in now with Inter-Miami kind of essentially complaining about the refereeing.
46:51Listen, this game, like, I kind of think they had a shout of maybe saying, hey, this was one I feel hard done. Yeah. You know, there was a, again, they had a couple of plays where I thought like, ooh, that looked very sloppy on Nashville's part. Ooh, that could have gone either way. Say that. Say, hey, we felt they missed some calls. If you want to go out there, but don't say. Don't focus on this play in particular. Yeah. Anyway, let's focus on Luis Suarez's teammate, Lionel Messi, who is a man very, very high in demand. He was named to Lionel Scaloni's 24-player roster for Argentina's upcoming friendly against Angola next week.
47:29Now the call comes amid Messi and Rodrigo De Paul being in the playoffs with the possibility to qualify to the following round on Saturday. Jack, is this something, nothing, or everything? Again, similarly, it'll all be defined on Inter Miami's play. Now, that being said, we have a few months removed from Lionel Messi and we keep going back to it, asking to be left out of the All-Star game to rest. Here's another opportunity to avoid that travel down to South America, kind of giving everything that Inter Miami are involved in, given the expectations around Inter Miami and Leland Messi's role in that, I think he misses that international trip.
48:20I think he focuses on what is happening here with Inter Miami, what's at stake if they get there, and dealing with that. Because all of a sudden, again, you go down to this trip, you play in this friendly whatever part if you stumble in in the next round whoever it is you have that then becomes the focus and for for me that that will always be defining for into miami given their investment not just in lille messi but their investment in this team in winning mls cup i think it's the only good thing about you know major league soccer right now one of the good things that they could presume that they can gloat about is having world cup players in their league having a messi a rigo de paul they go off to the argent the defending world champions for their preparation games for the world cup they're going to play against nashville this weekend right on the ninth the next game is going to be the 21st of november 21st of november so you're adding another game to messi's calendar but it's not the same as in previous years where they played right through the international break and then that would really cost you because you say well he's playing with the national team and he's going to miss time here or he's going to be too tired to play here in three days time that's not the question here i would question the playoff calendar more than anything 21st of november is the next game but if we're going to question mls's calendar we would have to do the same for argentina because now they specifically ask for those players to not be on this roster if they were in the playoffs in the closura.
50:05To your point, and while yes, but then it's kind of given the season that Inter-Miami have had, that Lionel Messi has had, it is a game on, well today's the sixth, so a game on the eighth, then the international falls 14th or 15th, somewhere around there, and then a week later, so you have that travel. So while it seems like a long layoff before the next round, you're playing fairly, you're playing and traveling with pretty consistently in that. Yeah, but your team isn't. Lionel Messi is. Your team isn't. And that's what I mean about the postseason Major League Soccer Shack. Some of these players are going to sit around and like, all right, well, I guess we got to wait around until after the international break and pick this back up and let's hope that good momentum we had keeps going.
50:53And I understand what you're saying about Argentina, But Argentina's in a different boat. That's a whole different mess. From its league to the way it's handled to the relationship it has with the national team and the federation. Major League Soccer is not like that. They can't control that. So, you know, Argentina, they could ask for their players not to go. And maybe Scaloni's going to say, well, we're already qualified for the World Cup. So I can afford not to have this domestic talent. But Major League Soccer doesn't have that luxury. They are pausing their league. Shaq's right. Riegel Paul and Messi and those guys, they're going to come right back into it as if they just played a game a week.
51:29The rest of the team, if you're a team that had good momentum heading in, let's say you're LAFC, which is the hottest team in the league. Now you've got to wait, cool down, and we'll see what happens. Yeah, I mean, on and off the field, we know, as I said, Lionel Messi has been a man of very high demand. and he was also at the Business Forum, awarded the key to the city of Miami, but he also spoke on his post-retirement plans. Take a listen.
52:14and what I've achieved at professional level. But today is the time to continue enjoying and to continue playing. Football has a long time of time, unfortunately. Lamentable, lamentable. No, no. In some moments... Nunca, nunca. En algún momento se termina y me gusta empezar a ver qué se puede llegar a hacer, para dónde puedo llegar a arrancar, pero el tema empresarial es algo que me interesa, que me gusta, que me gustaría aprender, seguir aprendiendo mucho porque la verdad que no sé nada. Estoy arrancando en esto como...
53:09But I know that he comes to another world and I'm going to get into it. I don't think it's surprising to hear Lionel Messi being this ambitious off the field as well, Shaq. If it were me and I, I earned the kind of Lionel Messi, did I know what I'd be doing? I'd be like... What beach? Exactly. I'd be right next to nothing. Which beach do I buy first? Listen, credit to Lionel Messi for what has been and continues to be an outstanding playing career. And now thinking about what comes next. Already involved with Inter-Miami from that business level. And from the sounds of it, has his eyes on any number of other ventures.
54:02And credit to him for that. I think given the name, the reputation he's built for himself, he has earned the right to take on whatever challenges that may come at him. I've never thought that business is beyond footballers. And Lionel Messi is proving as much. He's already doing it. He's already doing it. I mean, you turn on your TV and there he is drinking a light beer. You're watching the Champions League and there he is. eating some chips of a certain brand. You flick through the TV controller, and oh, look, he's promoting a certain department store. And you go through here, and he's promoting something else.
54:47And I've also purchased some of his wines. He's in the wine industry as well. And he has subscription shares in Apple TV MLS Season Pass. And there are reports that he will have shares of Inter-Miami. And then his father, who happens to represent Lionel Messi, well, wouldn't surprise me if he starts representing other players under the name Messi. And then they have their own stable of players they represent. He's already an entrepreneur. The whole reason he's in the United States, he's in North America, is to be an entrepreneur, is the next phase of his life. And he's doing it very well. There are a few players who capitalize on their name, on their likeness, in the right way.
55:33Messi's doing that. And I've got no, no doubts that whatever he does next, he can be just as successful because Messi attracts a certain type of, you know, attention to it. And so far he's doing it right. Yeah, he's truly a role model on and off the field with the playing career. Now what he wants to do off the field, like you said, no doubts that he will also be successful in this field. I ordered three, one came back broken. Oh, okay. Well, that's why I can use some work. But anyway, want to invite you to... Oh, yeah, exactly. The people are saying, I'm producing. But hey, La Liga with Celta and Fútbol Clube Barcelona, Sunday, 3 p.m.
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57:33All right, welcome to a very special edition of Drippin' or Trippin'. I mean, it's my favorite segment, but even more when we're talking about World Cup kits because we're a little over 200 days from the following, from the next World Cup. Yeah, 217. Who's counting? Exactly, but who's counting? I mean, we kind of have to. And two hours. And you know what? Adidas knows exactly how many seconds on the clock are left for the World Cup because they have officially revealed their kits for the next World Cup. So we each gave our top five of the kits that we saw, 22 in total. And our producer, Beto, took those all together, made a little magic happen, a little math, and averaged it out.
58:13So we're going to reveal our collective top five, starting with number five, Japan, Shaq. I like this because I had this high in my list than five. I think it's just classic, simple, so fitting of the Japanese. They always have good kits and this is right up there. Don't get me wrong. I don't mind a good Japan kit whatsoever, but was it in my top five? Was it in your top five? This is like not even the Shaka Power Rankies algorithm is so far out there. This is a great kit. It deserves to be in the top five. Can I ask a question? Sure. Do the shorts matter? Does that improve a kit? I don't know.
58:54Shorts? No, I know, but if it was white shorts, red socks. They do. Okay. Uniform. I get what you're saying, but I didn't see any of that. Okay. Because if that's the case, I like the Japan uniform as well. Okay. Two. But I like what you said and how it reflects their culture as well, right? Simple, clean, classic. All right, so that was our number five. How about our number four? Maybe this one was on all of our lists? Yeah. Ooh. It was on my list. It was on your list. Your list? My only issue with this one is respect Argentina, and I see this, and I know what they're going for, which jersey they're going for, but I immediately thought of Uruguay.
59:34I don't know. I don't know. It's because it's the lighter blue being shaded out kind of deal. But it gives it a 3D effect. It does kind of. I think that's what they're going for. I like that. I like the stripes on this. I thought that was a great kiss. Yeah. It really was. Black shorts. It's going to make it feel better. but yeah i like it white shorts as well it was my top five it was my top five it was pretty high up for me as well yeah i think you're i think you're taking a little bit too far putting an uh would away in this no no just the shading no it's a it's a 3d effect it's a 3d anyway okay no well not convinced i don't know if it's it it pops a little bit but for just about just like shut up Go to the next one.
1:00:19This one wasn't on your list, Shaq. What's special about this? Oh, that's nice, Shaq. That's a nice jersey. That's Germany's kit every four years. No, no. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Shaq, that's a pretty sweet kit. What's different about this? This is like 70s, 80s Germany. Yeah. 74, 78, 82, 86, 19, 94, 90. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that. That is sexy. That is sexy. some black all of those if they wore black shorts and if they wore black socks with the yellow red trim on it i'm gonna lose i'm gonna lose my they always do though that's too good looking kit i'm not saying no but there's nothing different from what we saw four years ago eight years ago 12 years ago just keep counting in fours it ain't broke yeah it ain't broke that's a hot be fixing it.
1:01:12It shouldn't be up there. I got no issue with it being the top three. Zero. No notes. No notes for me. I would wear it with some pleather pants, black pants, combat boots ready for the winter. Alright, and this is our collective number two. We're all in a green I had it as my number one to be completely honest but Shaq? I have no argument with this. This is easily top two for me. I thought this is a fantastic kit for Mexico. take so many boxes. I love it. Okay, a few things about it that I think it's a top two kit. Yes, a few things I don't like. I wish it was more of the Aztec calendar, less of the big, big sponsor stripes.
1:01:56And one more thing, when you see it with the number, you don't notice it. But when there's no number, you see that they added the Mexico logo again to the Aztec calendar. Yeah. What are we doing here? But it's pretty hot. I'm not gonna lie. I really like it. And you said shocker, right? But honestly, my sister, who actually is not the football fan of the family. She wants to cop it? No, but she had, I think she still has it in her closet. If she does, I'm stealing it, very sister stuff. But she had the original one. And I always, I think that's the first kid I truly fell in love with. So this really is, it just pulls at those nostalgic strings.
1:02:34And I really like it and I wish we still they still had the old one of the more original kits in the World Cup for any brand completely you're not going to miss it you see it you're going to know exactly who it is yep all right Mexico's number two drumroll please our number one is the Saudi Arabia kit Shaq yeah it's pretty nice it is it really is I think the green and the purple works so wonderfully well together. It stands out. I think it's a really nice kit. I'll be honest. If somebody said, close your eyes, think about this. Saudi Arabia. We're going to have a green jersey. I can see it now.
1:03:12Purple accents. It's going to pop nicely with it. The green and purple, you're going to like it. Not for me, dog. But this is pretty hot. I'm not going to lie. I'm not going to lie. It plays nicely. So I've got no issue with it. And shorts. Nice pair of white shorts. with purple shirt. You would go white? I'd go white, yeah. I think I might go all green. Really? Yeah. I think it pops a little bit more with the white. It's a nice contrast. Green shorts, purple socks. No. No. No, it's too much. It's wanting to stretch the whole jersey to the whole kit itself. Next time, Beto, just use my votes. Oh, boy, it hurts.
1:03:50Use the algorithm. Use the shit. Power-ranking algorithm. All right, Jack. You do the promo then. Just kidding. ESPN FC available daily on ESPN Plus for more fashion tips. Wherever you get your popular TV shows.
1:04:10Coming from a job, Shaq. Let's take it to the U-17 World Cup. USA vs. Burkina Faso. 16-year-old Kevin Sullivan on the bench. Alessana Bagayofo trying and it's Tapsoba who misses a close chance here, Shaq. Oh, boy. How do you miss from there? I do not know. I back myself to score that one. How about this one? Herc, 79th minute. It's a youngster, Sullivan. Yeah. Was on the bench because, as we know, he was playing, well, postseason footy with the Philadelphia Union. They wouldn't let him go. They finally let him go. Comes on to save the day. Nice little poke. And that was enough for the 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.
1:04:53Let's take it to the other game that we saw. This was only in the group stage, actually, in USA. With that win, with the three points secured, their next match will be versus Tajikistan, Saturday, November 8th. Let's take it to Mexico versus South Korea now. 19th minute, Ko Hyon-bin for the 1-0 lead check. Yeah, and a rather routine set piece. Mexico have numbers in the box, but somehow. Surprise! Never one of those. Well, guided header into the bottom corner. Well, that's one. 44th minute. Hey, we've heard this name before. Aldo de Nígeles, sir. I used to play against his father. Yeah. Lineage, long lineage of footballers and living up to the name.
1:05:40A fabulous striker, no doubt. 49th minute. Oh, boy, oh, boy, Shaq. What is a keeper doing? What is a keeper doing? High defensive line, get caught out of the back, keeper tries to come, does not get there.
1:05:57South Korea wins 2-1 over Mexico. Namjana for that winning goal. So Mexico with zero points, trying to get some points in their next match versus Cotihuahua, Friday, November 7th.
1:06:18Tension is there you can finish the playoffs. What a strike. I want a Sunday kind of love. The NWSL playoffs quarterfinals, Sunday on ABC. So excited for quarterfinals, so excited for this. We have a very special guest with us on Football W, the lovely Olivia Mulcher, who just extended her contract with Portland Thorns through 2029, Friday, 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. We will see you then. We will see you Sunday for quarterfinals. We are deep in playoff season. I remember. Happy boys. She was 15. Breaking records. She just signed with Portland Thorns. She was, at the time, the youngest player. Had the zoom.
1:07:04Let me play. Yeah. Yep. And she's just shy of her 20th birthday. Good player. Making me feel old now. Sorry, Shaq. And with making Shaq feel old, we bid you adieu. We will be back on Monday with the big question, if Inter-Miami survives. Bye. Bye.
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From the publisher
Cristina Alexander, Herculez Gomez, and Shaka Hislop react to the USMNT's roster announcement for the November friendlies, including Gio Reyna returning to the team and Antonee Robinson's injury issues. Then, reaction to Luis Suárez being suspended for a second time for an incident on the field. Plus, discussion on whether Javier Aguirre should be nominated for FIFA's The Best Men's Coach.
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