In short
Football Americas discusses the U.S. men’s friendly vs Paraguay, focusing on Gio Reyna’s return and performance, plus other international and club news (Argentina vs Angola, Brazil vs Senegal, MLS schedule changes, and NWSL/World Cup qualifying results).
Guests (podcast hosts)
Alexis Nunes (host), Hercules Gomez (co-host), Kasey Keller (guest, former U.S. goalkeeper), plus recurring co-hosts/voices referenced in the show (e.g., Kirk, Casey, and Mauricio Pochettino interview clips).
Guest backgrounds
Kasey Keller is a former U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper and MLS/National Team veteran; Hercules Gomez and Alexis Nunes are football analysts/hosts.
Key claims
Reyna’s “X-factor” is his ability to find space and create outlets; Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are in strong striker form; the U.S. should improve finishing and emotional control after a late brawl.
Notable examples
Reyna’s first-start goal/assist sequence; Paraguay’s Almiron cross leading to Scali’s close-range finish; U.S. pressing leading to chances; stoppage-time melee involving Alex Freeman and Gustavo Gomez; Messi scoring for Argentina vs Angola; Brazil’s VAR-checked goal vs Senegal; MLS shifting to mid-July-to-spring 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 VOU.S. Men's National Team vs. Paraguay Recap
0:46 to 3:19
Discussion on the friendly match between the U.S. and Paraguay, highlighting key moments.
“in the last international window of the year.”
Mauricio Pochettino's Insights
3:20 to 7:09
Analysis of Pochettino's comments on Gio Reyna and the overall team performance.
“Could you tell us your thoughts on Gio, your decision to start him and what you thought of his performance overall?”
Gio Reyna's Impact and Future
7:10 to 10:00
Discussion on Reyna's return and his importance to the U.S. squad going forward.
“as most managers do, but you know what, Poch?”
Foller and Balogun's Development
10:01 to 13:30
Analysis of Balogun's performance and his emerging role in the national team.
“That's where I want to see him operate, and now this team to gel.”
Match Performance Analysis
13:31 to 14:00
Hosts discuss the overall team performance and areas for improvement.
“men's national team was against Canada in a final, and it was off a Giovanni Reina assist.”
Performance Analysis of the U.S. Team
14:00 to 15:30
Discusses the U.S. team's performance against Paraguay, focusing on pressing and tactical choices.
“So I'm sure it wasn't a perfect performance.”
Player Selection and Injuries
15:30 to 17:48
Examines player availability and injuries affecting the U.S. national team ahead of the World Cup.
“I think the overall thing that I see is when you're playing against a stingy team like Baragwai, I thought the U.S.”
Melee Incident and Emotional Control
17:48 to 21:38
Analyzes a melee incident during the match and the need for emotional control in a competitive setting.
“Tyler Adams, Weston McKinney, Christian Pulisic.”
Positive Trends for the National Team
21:38 to 22:48
Highlights the positive trajectory of the U.S. Men's National Team as they approach the World Cup.
“All right, so positive stuff there from the U.S.”
Argentina's Recent Match Insights
25:32 to 28:00
Discusses Argentina's recent match, player performance, and implications for MLS.
“at the world champions, Argentina up against Angola.”
Show all 19 chapters
Argentina's World Cup Preparation Challenges
28:00 to 30:50
Discuss the challenges faced by Argentina in preparing for the World Cup amidst financial and logistical concerns.
“But think of the prep that you have and the competition you have in Connobol just to qualify.”
Brazil's Performance and Future Prospects
30:50 to 39:00
Analyze Brazil's recent performance against Senegal and their potential for upcoming competitions with emphasis on young talent.
“Brazil, they were also in action up against Senegal.”
Brazil's Performance and Future Prospects
39:36 to 39:58
Analyze Brazil's recent performance against Senegal and their potential for upcoming competitions with emphasis on young talent.
“I like things my way, my coffee, my schedule, and my treatment.”
Brazil's Performance and Future Prospects
40:13 to 41:17
Analyze Brazil's recent performance against Senegal and their potential for upcoming competitions with emphasis on young talent.
“The one that makes buying so incredibly easy?”
MLS Schedule Changes for 2027
41:22 to 42:05
Discuss the upcoming changes to the MLS schedule, including the new season start and playoff structure.
“All right, so it's the news that kind of stole headlines over the last couple of days that there's going to be an MLS schedule change in the season beginning in 2027.”
MLS Scheduling and Its Impact
42:05 to 44:25
Discussing how the MLS schedule affects viewership and player acquisition.
“Yes, years ago, I think MLS hired a consulting company to say, you know, what's the best schedule?”
Trinidad vs. Jamaica World Cup Qualifiers
44:25 to 45:39
Analyzing the recent Trinidad and Jamaica World Cup qualifying match outcomes.
“And remember, earlier on, I did say that we have to pour a strong one out for our boy, Shaka Hislav.”
NWSL Semifinals Highlights
45:40 to 47:21
Reviewing the NWSL semifinals and standout player performances.
“The Washington Spirit up against the Portland Thorns.”
U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Inductees
47:26 to 48:52
Discussing the new inductees to the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and their contributions.
“Soccer Hall of Fame because there are some new inductees.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:09Kasey Keller:Hello everyone and welcome to a fresh edition of Football Americas. I'm Alexis Nunes back in the hot seat with Hercules Gomez and look what a business flight dragged in. Kasey Keller here with us live and direct. Plenty to talk about today. Lionel Messi doing Leo Messi things and scoring once again for the Albi Celeste Plus. After, we're going to pour a strong one out for our boy Shaka Hislop because it wasn't good news for Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors. Sorry, Shaka, we'll talk about CONCACAF qualifiers later on. But there's only one place to start, and that's, of course, with the U.S. men's national team.
0:45Kasey Keller:They went up against Paraguay in a friendly that just finished today in the last international window of the year. four minutes in off a set piece. Arvson crossing the ball and Gio Reyna in his first start for the U.S. since last year at the Copa America showing his worth. Yeah, Arvson does a great job of creating the space and then puts a really quality ball in the box. Gio does a great job of rising above and off the underside of the crossbar. But Herc, almost instantly Paraguay responded. Yeah, it's just way too easy. Joe Scali gets caught having as a third center back go to the touchline. Ridiculous ball in from Miguel Almiron.
1:22And just a very good finish from close range. Matt Freese. Just a really good play, I think, all along from Paraguay there.
1:29Kasey Keller:14 minutes in now. Balogun, he's hit in the back, but it doesn't get reviewed for a foul. Well, there is no review in this match. And there was a couple situations like that throughout the match where I think VAR would have had some questions to answer. 67th minute now. Serginio Dest has a go, but it barely misses the net. Yeah, we've seen him have a go from there. They're scoring against Costa Rica. Keylor Navas in the pass from that same distance. And Gio Arena doing what Gio Arena does, creating immediate danger. And Faller and Balogun doing what a good nine should do, cleaning up the mess.
2:02And that's a three-straight game for the goal for Faller and Balogun. I like the pressing to start with. Yes. Between Luna and Rodan do a great job of winning possession. And then Gio combines well. And then Balogun puts him through. And he puts a good ball in the box. And in the end, like you said, you're in the right spot at the right time.
2:19Kasey Keller:Well, the U.S. back on the attack here as they try to add to their lead and just have a look at this chance for ricardo pepe he's probably wondering how it didn't go in but great goalkeeping too well i think it was the defender who made the block yeah but it is it's just in the end made a meal of it yeah yeah it was touches it's a bad first touch and then and then the second one to try to get it under control and and paraguay does a great job of just clapping eyeball my no mine mine no no mine mine yeah things are going albeit so well until stoppage time and a little brawl breaks out between the two teams with Alex Freeman and Gustavo Gomez eventually will be shown.
3:00Kasey Keller:Not the red car. It just got really nasty here in these last minutes. It's good to see the U.S. men's national team stand up for one another. I thought it was super unnecessary. A lot of what we saw there. But you know in the end no harm no No harm, no foul. The USA definitely walk away with a much needed win for some confidence. And let's hear from Mauricio Pochettino after the game.
3:23Herculez Gomez:Could you tell us your thoughts on Gio, your decision to start him and what you thought of his performance overall? Well, I think we performed really well. I think it was a great, great game. really tough game again a team like Paraguay that is really competitive I think the performance overall was good so happy with the whole roster the whole group, the players that play and the players that didn't play with the staff, I think that is in the way that we want to compete I think it was a very competitive game that made me very happy of course the rest of the league is there. It's always good to win, to feel the victory.
4:11But the most important is what we saw during more than 90 minutes. The spirit, the fight, but then in the way that played the team, I think it's bigger. In the bigger picture is that we need to prize and to give credit to the player because in the way that we play again a team that is very difficult to play. I think the football that we saw on the pitch I think it was very entertainment I think we enjoyed and we didn't have the ball in another phase I think we did what we need to do that is why that is in the way that we need to improve he scored and I think he did a very good job I'm so happy with him he showed why he starred and he has confirmed that he's a player that needs to improve because he needs to play more in his club but we can see today that he was great, scored an assist.
5:08And in the way that always the capacity to read the game and find the free space in between the line, I think that was a nightmare for Paraguay, and I think he did a very good job.
5:19Herculez Gomez:I like that, Rachel. Tannenbaum from the Philadelphia Inquirer. How impressed were you important? They kept pushing and pushing and pushing for the winning goal and finally got it. and to have kept pushing like that and also then after that to have preserved the lead the way they played? I think it's what all the coaches want, is to enjoy with the team playing and not complain and play with the freedom that we play today. I think we were talking now in the dressing room with some players how they start to feel the football that we want to apply on the pitch always take time. We have very quality players.
6:04But now it's okay. Before they asked me about Gio, but today it's about the team. It's about performance. It's about no one names. I think if you start to see from the keeper and to the last that was in, and that was Sebastian, all the players that were involved in the game and the players that were supporting the team that maybe they're going to play in the next game. I think that is the atmosphere and the spirit that we want to build for the World Cup. And I think that is fantastic today to feel because you see that are not friendly games. And that is the way that we need to compete. Compete and then show our quality.
6:44If we are not capable to match the opponent in all these type of areas that are really important, it's difficult after only with quality, you know, to win games. and when you have quality, but you match the opponent in all this area, for sure we have quality players with the possibility, do you know, to be better than the opponent.
7:05Kasey Keller:All right, Mauricio Pochettino there doing as Mauricio Pochettino does. He was asked about Gio Reyna, but he chooses to talk about the bigger picture, as most managers do, but you know what, Poch? We're going to make it about Gio Reyna right now. I want to make it about him because, wow, he really brought that X factor back. I almost don't know who to start with first. Kirk, this is obviously your area of the pitch. Casey, I know you have this personal relationship, but I just think it's amazing to think that here is someone who has been out of the U.S. setup for such a long time, dealing with injuries and whatnot, especially for club two, and then he comes back and it's almost like he's missed no time at all.
7:41Missed no time at all, if you mean by the goal? Sure. I think the goal was just a bonus to his play. Marisa Pochettino said it, his ability to find open space. That's what sets Joe Reina apart from most players in this pool. Only, I would say, second to Christian Pulisic, is that he can find that man. He can find the outlet. He's created enough in tight spaces to turn, to go, to be in immediate danger. The fact that he scores today is a plus and a weight off Gio's shoulders, but you can see it in the way that Giovanni celebrates. It's almost like, okay, I'm good. I got this now and back to business.
8:13And when he does his business, you can see how he links up with the important players, the offensive midfielders, the other tens, and the nine. and his ability to link up with a nine, a nine like Faller in Balcon who is hot right now, it's what's going to set him apart and ultimately put him back in the World Cup picture. It's not the goal. The goal is a bonus to Giovanni Reina's game. It's his ability to find space, his vision, to be a true 10, to be a danger man. He did today what I think many of us have always known. He's a special player. It has to be more than one game, but it's a good start.
8:43But it's also something that we don't have another player with that same compliment. The player that, as Pochettino rightly pointed out, finds the space, but then has the technical ability to play the ball forward and bring other players into play in the attack, not just keeping possession by stepping on it and the defender slides around and lets you pass the ball backwards. He finds a way to find the space to get past that player and then play the ball forward and keep the offensive moving in the direction to score goals. And so, yeah, I mean, what's the most important thing for Gio? Stay fit and play.
9:23Because we know the quality is there to do things that nobody else in this squad is capable of doing. There are going to come times in the World Cup where you're playing against just better opposition, and you're not going to have much of the ball. So when you do have the ball, how do you breathe? How do you get outlets? Creative players like Giovanni Reina are the way you get those outlets. And maybe you have one, two chances. Well, Joe Reyna is showing you that when he's on the ball, he's the one who's creating those one or two chances. Now, this is good, but I want to see him, and I want to see Marisa Pochettino with the prime suspects.
9:53I want to see him with the Foller and Baligans, the Christian Pulisic. I want to see him with the players who are going to be there, the Tyler Adams, those players that you know. That's where I want to see him operate, and now this team to gel.
10:06Kasey Keller:Well, let me ask you this now, because Casey brought up the point that the fact that, you know, if it's not Christian Pulisic, There's not really any other player, with all due respect, that has that X factor. That, you know, even when they're not quite 100 % like Gio, they can still offer that moment of magic when it is needed. If the World Cup is tomorrow, does he get called up on this? I don't think there's any question for Parade. Yeah. You know, people are going to always bring it back to how they perceive Giovanni's attitude. Giovanni Reina's attitude. Giovanni Reina's history. Who aren't there.
10:38Who've not seen it. Who've not done, you know. And honestly, when it comes time to perform, I've been on many teams, you've been on many teams where it's just do your job. And he's a player with the U.S. Men's National Team in important moments that has done his job. So give him the benefit of the doubt that he will do his job going forward. I saw the defensive work rate, and I saw the offensive productivity. Great tackle at the end of the game. Little things like that that are all in addition to the other pieces. Because as we know, every player who's on the pitch has their strengths, and you always play to your strengths, but you always work on your weaknesses.
11:12And if that weakness is that little bit of off the ball, defending, pressing, little things like that, which only get better as you're fitter, as you're playing more, the quality is going to be there. But the more fit, the more games, then he can give you those other pieces that aren't what he's known for, which then makes the collective that bit stronger as well. And I know it's a Paraguay looking at some players, but Gustavo Alfaro's Paraguay, it's a team that is defensively stingy. They make you pay for everything. He was holding his own after being out for a year with the U.S. Men's National Team.
11:45Last time he was with the U.S. Men's National Team was in March. Maricio Pochettino looked down the line and said, I need a goal, I need a goal. No, Gio, I'm good, buddy. So this is a very good performance and statement game by Giovanni Reina.
11:57Kasey Keller:Well, speaking of making statements as well, we spoke about Giovanni Reina, and Casey brought it up, just the fact that he's able to bring in other players too. We saw that assist to Foller in Balogun, and he put out a huge statement today, but he has been putting out a statement because he has been scoring consistently, Casey. So how big of a statement has he? Is he the number nine pick now? Well, we've been talking about this for a long time, and then he had that injury gap where then he was kind of missing from the national team for a long time. And what he kind of offers you with being able to run in behind, and now you're starting to see him come into the squad as well and be able to combine.
12:33You know, and then getting the reward for it in the end, which what most strikers are judged on is putting the ball in the back of the net. So I think he's really, you know, coming to the forefront at the right time as well. You have other guys who've obviously proven, you know, that they can score goals with the team at different times. But you feel that that Maligan is is in pole position. Yeah, that's exactly what it is. Pole position. And this is going to be a as you are hot, you are in pole position because all three of these strikers have shown not to be with the U.S. Men's National League for an extended period of time for whatever reason.
13:11Foller and Balogun had the shoulder. Ricardo Pepe had his knee. Haji Wright was in camp for Gold Cup and then leaves. We thought it was an injury. It was he was getting married. But when he was at Gold Cup, he was playing number two to Patrick Aghiman. So it really is who is hot for me right now. And there is no hotter forward on the U.S. Men's National League right now for Maris Pochettino than Foller and Balogun. What sets him apart at this moment, I firmly believe, is the ability to link up with what I feel will be the two 10s in the World Cup. Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reina. His first goal for the U.S.
13:42men's national team was against Canada in a final, and it was off a Giovanni Reina assist. We've seen how good he is with Christian Pulisic. That ability combined with those two special players, it's what's going to set him apart as the number one here.
13:54Kasey Keller:All right. Well, definitely a confident win there for the USA. But, you know, these two, they're tough cookies to impress. So I'm sure it wasn't a perfect performance. Any concerns at all? I love the way they pressed. I thought the attitude was brilliant from the start. I mean, that's where you always have to start with. Start with the right attitude. The attitude was right. You're at home against a team that you know is kind of maybe more comfortable on the counterattack. I loved how they caused problems. I'm not going to look so much at Paraguay's goal as an issue, as more of a good play from Paraguay.
14:31But I think what it does bring up is when you play in a back three and your wing back is an advanced position, the space is down the channel. And it was a great ball down the channel. It's always going to be difficult for a center back to slide over and be able to get tight quick enough. Scali gets over. He does his best. But then what does that do when the center back has to leave the center to go over and mark that space? Leaves holes in the middle. And then the middle didn't collapse quick enough because it got pulled out. I think it's more of a situation where, yes, that is what you're susceptible to this formation.
15:10But what that formation gives you is the opportunity to have more players to press higher up. And I think if they were more clinical in the last 15 minutes, they would have gotten, they should have gotten that third because of the work they did pressing and could have made it that little bit more comfortable. Yeah, there's a few things. I think the overall thing that I see is when you're playing against a stingy team like Baragwai, I thought the U.S. Men's National League did very well to control. You need to take advantage of your opportunities in the final third, like you would in a World Cup where maybe you have one or two.
15:43There are some instances where sloppy touches, Max Arfston, a sloppy touch gets himself in trouble in the box. Maybe he doesn't make the correct decision. Ricardo Pepe, you've got to slot that with your left foot one time. Or at least by the second touch, you can't afford a third touch. You waste a golden opportunity. And the other was piggybacking off what Casey just said, which is the formation and getting adapted to that formation so the first goal doesn't happen. But I think that happens with the right personnel. And that's where I want to get here. You have one more camp that's going to be in March.
16:12Right. And then it's a June friendly in the World Cup. At no point in time has Mauricio Pochettino had his full team, what we consider every player. I don't even go full team, Herc. I'd say even like a 90 % team. Exactly. Because when do you ever have like a full team? And we are catering. Mauricio Pochettino is catering to the clubs. Oh, they're coming back from injury. Christian Pulisic played 90 minutes the other day, two days ago. 90 minutes, scores his goal. Alejandro Cendejas comes off the bench for 45 minutes. You've got Chris Richards, who they're telling, hey, he needs a break, plays another 90 minutes.
16:46You've got all these players who we thought are supposed to be injured. Weston McKinney, who I know I want him to get used to a new coach again. We have players that you need to bring in in camp, that you need to work with, that you need to make sure the World Cup is a priority, the national team is a priority, and you're catering to the club team. Well, because you have such few windows. Like you said, you're right there at the end. I mean, I'm still waiting for a club coach that says, I'm going to arrest him for this club game so he's fit to go with his national team. Never going to happen. So then why does a national team manager that has such fewer opportunities with that player have to cater to the club coach?
17:24Do you know where Marisa Pochettino can control the minutes that are played? Himself. In camp. He can't control the 90 minutes that Christian Pulisic is going to play with Milan. He can control what is Christian Pulisic's minutes with the national team. So it's just a wasted opportunity. I'm glad that these players are coming back into fitness, but it just seems like so much time has gone by, whether it's the Federation and what they've done or Marisa Pochettino now and what he's doing. Where I agree with you, I would have loved to have seen an 80 % squad instead of a 40 % or 50 % squad. Tyler Adams, Weston McKinney, Christian Pulisic.
17:58Tyler got injured right at the end. No, correct, but I'm saying you still don't have access to these players. So the players, to your point, that you could have had access to, but you gave the club team the benefit of the doubt, I'm not sure, to your point, we have time for that.
18:13Kasey Keller:Yeah, well, one thing we do have time for is to get Mauricio Pochettino's thoughts on those little ugly scenes that we saw in Stoppage Time where a little melee broke out between the two sides. Let's hear what he said.
18:24Herculez Gomez:Jeff Carlisle with ESPN. Mauricio, what did you make of the melee there at the end involving? Yeah, first involving Alex and Gustavo Gomez, but then everyone. It was difficult to see because I was looking for another direction. When I hit, I turn and I go, but bad luck because I go to the camera. I go down, fall down to the camera, and lucky that Gustavo Alfaro saw me and said, wait, wait, wait, wait, and help me with some stuff. But that type of situation is a very, very dangerous situation. I think we need to pay attention because anything can happen. Yes, I don't like. I don't like this type of situation.
19:15I don't know how we start this. I cannot say nothing because I need to watch or to see on TV why all start.
19:26Kasey Keller:All right. Well, we did see exactly how it did happen. It was an argument over who's hugging the ball more. You guys' thoughts on this? Of course, it's a friendly, as Pochettino says. You never really like to see. things like this, but much ado about nothing. I think the first part that kind of made me laugh is you're winning. It's your throw. If Paraguay wants to take the ball, let them have it. Why are you wrestling with them? Let them have it. Let them waste time. And then when the ref says, no, no, no, it's your throw. Oh, okay. Now you walk over slowly and you do that. And the rest of it was just, I don't know, everyone just shoving each other.
20:03Yeah, let me, the positive. I've accused this team of being soft, too soft at times. And there have been games where Christian Pulisic is being kicked up and down the field and nobody defends him. There isn't a sticking up for your teammate. There was a sticking up for your teammate moment here by everybody. I applaud that pride. But you have to be careful. This was a friendly, and I'm hoping that's a big part of this context. But there's going to come a time in the World Cup where there is VAR, Video Assistant Review, and something can happen that puts your team in jeopardy. whether it's a push or an accidental brush to the face, and it's a direct red card, changes the game, which can change your outcome, your circumstances in a tournament.
Read the full transcript
20:43So you have to be very, very careful. Do not forget this national team, this national team, things were going bad with Greg Berhalter, yes, but the reason Greg Berhalter is out was because of the game versus Panama, a silly red card, Timothy Weah. And we've seen silly red cards in the past, Serginio Des, Trinidad and Tobago. This team needs to have more emotional control. So defend your teammate, yes, but there are things that can go right. Don't cross the line. And then we also are having conversation with players that are getting red-carded in their last qualifiers and might be missing the opening game.
21:16Well, when you don't have competitive matches and you do something silly, I wouldn't put it past people to go, oh, that was egregious enough, and you're suspended for a friendly? No. We're going to – so be smart. In the end, nothing happened, but you just got to be smart. It's one thing to defend. It's another thing to go full-on melee.
21:38Kasey Keller:All right, so positive stuff there from the U.S. Men's National Team. Final thoughts, then, before we press on for this one, of course, this is just the first of two friendlies that they'll play. I think where I come from is the last camp, we had a lot of positive things to talk about. It had been so long where we're just waiting for positivity with this team. We talked about it. Then how are they going to follow up with that? And we see another good performance and we see another good result. Now, I want to see them finish this year off where we're all talking positive, where we're all saying everything's trending at the right time and keep that going.
22:22I do think they're trending in the right direction. I would like to see them trending in the right direction together with the team that's going to be at the World Cup. because Japan, Ecuador, Australia, now Paraguay, it's going to be Uruguay. All those teams are going to the World Cup. They could be World Cup opponents, and you've done very well against those teams, better than anybody expected. Well, better than we saw in the summer against Turkey and Switzerland where we're going, oh, no, house on fire. And you still have not seen what I would say is the starting 11. Even an 80-90 % starting 11 we haven't seen.
22:53Positive things.
22:53Kasey Keller:All right, well, like I said, this is just the first of two games that the U.S. Men's National Team are playing in this, the final international window of 2025. We'll be back for Football Americas on Tuesday. Look at that lineup. Our Ale Moreno will be joining us. We're going to be after the U.S. Men's National Team next game, so join us one hour later, 9.30 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN+. Get summer going with a firework freeze five-hour energy shot. You get that iconic freezer pop flavor, but with zero sugar and a five-hour energy boost. Bursting with cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavors, Firework Freeze five-hour energy shots bring a caffeine kick without the sugar.
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25:31Kasey Keller:All right, let's head in to look at the world champions, Argentina up against Angola. 43rd minute, Messi finding Lautaro Martinez and Argentina take the lead. Yeah, it's a good through ball. Martinez does very well just to shoot knows exactly where the goal is a bit fortunate through the keeper's legs well you help me i help you 82nd minute martinez finding messy and come on of course he's scoring well i don't think there's any blame here for the goalkeeper on this finish how many times but yeah i mean obviously they're paying the money to get to watch messi and messi once again shows up and and gives them what they want to see i i think that stadium actually cheered probably more when Messi scored than if any one of their actual players scored.
26:15Kasey Keller:It's okay. I've seen it. I've seen it when Inter Miami went to Jamaica. A lot of us were cheering, of course, to see one of the goats there out there on the pitch. Well, of course, just some context of this game. As you said, Argentina were paid quite a lot of money to play this game in Angola. It was absolute pandemonium. The fact that they got a massive payday to be there, does that bother you any at all? No, that's... I mean, if you're Argentina right now and you're the past world champions and you get an opportunity, you can play against whoever you want. Well, if you're going to go to Angola, you've got to get rewarded for it.
26:53And they went and got rewarded for it.
26:57Kasey Keller:I suppose the main point is mainly about Messi because they are Inter-Miami from their perspective. They're in the middle of the playoffs right now. We know he's not exactly a spring chicken. He is still the MVP for Inter Miami. To me, that's MLS's fault. Their game against Cincy is what, like next week? Yeah, next week. So are you actually cool with that? I'm perfectly fine. Casey just spelled it out. It's Major League Soccer's fault. That's why they're aligning with the calendars. Things like this won't happen. If I could briefly just touch before I come back to what you're saying, you asked if we were cool with it.
27:30Casey's fine with them making money. I don't think I'd be cool with it if things were all right at the World Cup because then I'm going to start questioning Argentina's preparation. Well, I think if this game was in June or May. This isn't a one-off. They've been taking paydays, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, all these different types of teams. They're not going for the teams that are going to help them prepare to be in the World Cup. They're going for the paydays. Now, if that's what they want, fine. I hear you. But I think the idea is to prepare for a World Cup. But think of the prep that you have and the competition you have in Connobol just to qualify.
28:06So you're playing a lot of tough games where in Europe, you're going to have an Andorra in your group. Against teams that you always know. You're going to have. But, yeah, I know. Think about the teams in the World Cup that gave Argentina problems. But you don't have the opportunity right now to play against European sides. No, correct. So take the money, and then when you get a chance to play against Spain, Think about the teams that gave Argentina problems last World Cup. Saudi Arabia and Australia. Yes. So there are ways to prepare for this World Cup. That's a problem they won the World Cup.
28:37Kasey Keller:But they did it sufriendo. We know that. But they want to win another World Cup. Right. So I understand that you want to make money, and I understand the economy for the Argentine Federation. Yeah. That's fine. But there's going to be something to be said if things go awry for Argentina. Right. Major League Soccer, that's your fault. I understand what Inter-Miami fans must be thinking. Like, hey, that's a long trip. Yeah. And you're going to go play there, and you're going to come here, and the opponent's been rested for two weeks. and, well, Messi, our 38-year-old goal scorer, what's going to happen to him?
29:06We know his injury history. I can understand the concern, but that's not on Messi. That's not on Argentina. And I think the other thing is Argentina is also saying we have a very short window left to cash in on Messi. Just like, you know, Miami's, can we get him for one more year? Yeah, we got him for one more year. So everybody and Messi himself, you know, almost nobody in the world plays more minutes than Messi. Exactly. So, I mean, he's right there with it. I'm cashing in as well with the few minutes I have left. Are you going to be the guy, El Guapo, who tells Messi to slow it down and not play that much?
29:46Well, and are you going to be the guy in charge of marketing that then has to go tell Angola that Messi didn't show up because he's taking a break. You go tell that crowd that paid to go there to watch Messi, and then Messi said, nah, I'm taking the day off. So I think everybody's complicit in understanding they have a very short window left to capitalize on what you said, one of the greatest players of all time still playing.
30:15Kasey Keller:Should Major League Soccer probably not be as understanding in these situations? I don't think they have a choice. What are they going to do? What are they going to do? I mean, they could complain. Flex some muscles. What muscle? What muscle? No, no. This is FIFA calendar. It's fixture date. That's why – the only thing Inter-Miami and Major League Soccer can do right now is get on their knees and pray he doesn't get injured during this FIFA fixture window. That's about as much as they can do. And the history shows that he doesn't get injured very often. So, you got to tell them, yeah, of course he's going to go play with Argentina.
30:46Kasey Keller:All right. No alarm there. Let's move on to Argentina's fierce rivals in the world of football, shall we? Brazil, they were also in action up against Senegal. Ninth minute, Vinny Jr. here on the ball. He takes a shot right here, but the goalkeeper has it. Yeah, Vinny Jr. down the left-hand side. Vintage Vinny Jr. come cutting inside. It's a good shot. Good reaction save from the goalkeeper. And Esteval, the young Brazilian wonder kid who's been on fire for Chelsea, shows that he can also do it in his yellow shirt. Well, it's just opened up nicely for him, and then it's just a case of just missing the goalkeeper.
31:26Kasey Keller:Next, Rodrigo finding Casemiro here, who doubles Brazil's lead, but then VAR checks the goal for an offside. He's onside. Good touch, good finish.
31:43Yeah, I'm not seeing any off. I looked onside to me. The guys maybe centrally may have been, but no.
31:53Kasey Keller:51st minute now. Ederson. Oh no. Oh no. Dios mio. You know, nothing makes a goalkeeper happier as you make a huge mistake and you don't get punished. So Ederson says thank you very much for not. I'm not used to seeing Ederson make mistakes. Not like that. Not like that at all. 62nd minute now. Gabriel Magaya is pulling up here. Oh, that's terrible news for Arsenal. Terrible news for Arsenal. As the experts player. Indeed. Yeah. He was then replaced by Wesley, of course. Carlo Ancelotti says we're going to have to wait over the next 24 hours to see exactly what that injury is going to be like. All right.
32:36Well, as we said, that injury, I mean, this would be very bad news for Mikel Arteta.
32:42Kasey Keller:Always near the time where it's the business end for Arsenal. And we have seen them start to drop off, especially with a Manchester City chasing them down and knowing Manchester City, even though it's not the city of all, have chased them down before. Well, but it's a Man City that's already gone through their how are we going to play this year to be successful? And they've come out the other side now and are looking like maybe not the Manchester City of the way they played before to win championships, but they look like a Man City that can cause a lot of problems. And so, yeah, I still think it's Arsenal.
33:19probably favored, but... I mean, they were favored a couple years ago when Gabriel went down as well, and then City caught up. And it was an Arsenal that only had to focus on the Premier League while City was focusing on other things, and they still lost. They've been coming in second place for whatever reason, and now they're a team that strictly defends. This is one of their better defenders. So it's a massive loss, not only for Brazil. We've got to see the extent of the injury, But massive loss for Brazil, massive loss for Arsenal.
33:50Kasey Keller:I have to talk about Esteval. Obviously, we've been talking a lot about him on ESPN FC because he's just in fine form for Chelsea. We now see him do it in a Brazil shirt, especially when you feel this Brazil team does need that X factor. Considering Neymar, we don't know what the situation is going to be with him. I think we know what the situation is. I think we know, but Esteval, this young one. But Herc, I have to ask you, though, how do Brazil and Chelsea manage this? Like, are we going to be putting too much too soon on this young story? Does he seem he can handle it? The same way that Chelsea and Brazil have been handling this.
34:24He's not a full-time starter. There is a rotation at Chelsea. He comes in. He's been doing well. He's a player that's 18 years of age. And things are coming very quickly. There's an 18-year-old at Real Madrid who wants to leave because things haven't come quickly enough for him. And there's an 18-year-old at Barcelona that's killing it. Yep. So you got to – Brazil doesn't have the luxury of having the Vinny of Real Madrid. They don't have the luxury of having Rodrigo two years ago at Brazil. Rodrigo's going on almost 30 games without a goal for Real Madrid. Rafinha is injured right now. They don't have the luxury of turning away good players.
35:03Stavall's a very good footballer, but he's 18 years of age. There could be a world in front of him, absolutely, but it's all within due time. And I think the way Chelsea have handled it, of him coming in in a rotation, the way Carlo Ancelotti is handling it right now is the correct way. He scored a beautiful goal today. It came by chance. He's got to keep riding that momentum. He's 18 years old. He's got a world in front of him. And I don't think there's any expectation either. So I think the great part about it is he can come in here on a Brazil side. And I think we're all waiting for that next Neymar.
35:33And I'm not saying this kid is the next Neymar. But maybe Brazil is going to have to play a little bit different way to be successful than what we've seen Brazil in the past. And maybe if they are that, maybe a little bit conservative, maybe not so flashy, but just, you know, very competent and are able to find results that way. Because I don't think it's the Brazil that's going to play some sort of samba soccer and just kind of dance their way through a group. But I think they have enough talent that they can individually still cause you problems. And haven't, at least in my opinion, haven't been the team in qualifying that then you say, oh, that's one of the favorites.
36:20I just don't understand a team with so much offensive ability not be productive on the offensive end with the national team. I just mentioned Vinny Jr. I mentioned Rodrigo. I mentioned Rafinha. I mentioned Endrick. Any attacker in the Brazilian... You alluded to Endrick. You alluded to Endrick. Marquinhos, the center back, has more goals than those players for Brazil. None of them have broke out for the Brazilian national team right now. This isn't the Brazilian national team of old. There is a different way.
36:51Kasey Keller:Do they need to be the Brazilian national team of old? No, but you need to be respected. I think there has to be pieces of old because they still are Brazil. But you look at some of their competition that we're expecting to see. I mean, Germany, we don't know what the situation is there either. I suppose there's just kind of the usual favorites of the Argentinas, the Englands, the Spains. But some of the others, Italy, we don't even know if we're going to make it. I think you're going to talk to France a little bit. Yeah, of course, France as well there. But when you're not sure about the Portugals, the Germanys, the Netherlands, the Italys.
37:17Kasey Keller:I mean, are you telling me? So do Brazil need to be the Brazil of all, or could they just probably 1-0 it all the way to a final? Well, if they do 1-0, I'd be very surprised. If they do 1-0 it all the way to a final, I would be very surprised because I don't think they have the structure defensively. I still think it's a work in progress with Carlo Ancelotti. We know what Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid teams have looked like. It wasn't the prettiest, but they won. Can this Brazil team do that? If the pieces are there defensively, you've got enough talent offensively where if they hit their ceiling, a Rafinha, like we saw him in Barcelona, a Rodrigo, like we saw him a couple years ago when he was on the shortlist for the Ballon d 'Or, a Vinny Jr., who probably should have won it that year, who won the best.
37:57Yes. Estevão's coming up. Yes, you could see a very dangerous team, but those are a lot of ifs. Right. And I think the best thing they have going for him right now is the fact that Encelotti garners so much respect that he can probably get players to do things a percentage differently to be that little bit more conservative or that little bit more just, you know, we're not going to go for the flair. We're going to go for the points. And I think he's, I understand why the Brazilian Federation worked so hard to bring Encelotti in for this World Cup.
38:39Kasey Keller:All right. Well, as we know, there have been a lot of qualifiers going on around the world, especially UEFA qualifiers. And there's a lot more talk about that over on ESPN FC. A fresh episode dropped today and we'll also be back tomorrow. I'll be hosting, I believe Casey's joining me as well. I think I'm joining you. Casey thinks he's joining us, so be sure to join us there as well.
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41:27Kasey Keller:All right, so it's the news that kind of stole headlines over the last couple of days that there's going to be an MLS schedule change in the season beginning in 2027. Basically, what we will see is the season kicking off in mid-July, and it would run through spring with playoffs in May. They will also have a winter break between mid-December and February, which sounds like a long break to me, but Casey's probably thinking well. That's what the Germans do. I mean, the Scandinavians have a longer break than that. So, yeah, I mean, it's very common. And, you know, one of those things that I think is long overdue years ago.
42:04Kasey Keller:The whole schedule changed. Yes, years ago, I think MLS hired a consulting company to say, you know, what's the best schedule? where can we have the most success? And I'm pretty sure that that group came and said, your playoffs, where you really want the majority of the focus needs to be in May and June, needs to be when the competition level for American sports is at its lowest. You're right now in November. We're talking about key World Cup qualifying. A great World Series just happened. But football is in the real focal point with both pros and college. Basketball started. Hockey started. And MLS is doing, okay, here's these few games here, and then we're going to go on a two-week break, and then there's a game coming back.
42:59And then there's where if they were in May, you're talking about beginning, middle of the baseball season. Yeah, NBA playoffs is over. you're basically just what a time for them to be able to garner that focus. Herc, you a fan too? Yeah, but it's just good business. You want to be participant in the transfer market for the rest of the world. You want to attract good players. You want to be able to bring in a player and have that player hit the ground running with the preseason, not in the middle of a season. You hope things go well for you. You want to not have a three-week pause during your playoffs where your fans are really watching.
43:37They shouldn't be worried about Messi going across the world to play a game because Argentina was paid. No, no, you want to be concentrated on your playoff system. It just makes sense. Stopping your playoffs for two to three weeks does not make sense to me. And they don't have to worry about, oh, we can't play on Sunday at our home stadium because there's an NFL game scheduled. They go, okay, we can actually focus on it. The little cliff note there said 90 % of the games are still going to be – Nothing really changes. There's just a longer break in the winter. It's not going to be the end for these fans.
44:14I think, actually, it's going to attract more fans. It's going to give these fans who normally don't pay attention to Major League Soccer to pay attention to Major League Soccer just due to the scheduling.
44:24Kasey Keller:All right. So, applause for that all around. And remember, earlier on, I did say that we have to pour a strong one out for our boy, Shaka Hislav. This is why. This is why. What do they drink? They drink a lot of rum. Let me tell you that. Trinidad and Tomei go up against my reggae boys of Jamaica. Jamaica, I would say Trinidad actually needing the win for this one, boys. Jamaica in the 53rd minute through Ronaldo Cifas who take the lead. Yeah, just really nice coming inside. Maybe, I don't know where the help was. That was a big touch and he had a lot of time to come across. Good finish. Well, I was hoping Jamaica would score a second goal, but Shaka was yelling at me and saying, please give us something.
45:00Kasey Keller:And Trinidad did keep hopes alive. Kevin Molino scoring here to equalize. It had to be Kevin Molino, good old trusted player for Trinidad and Tobago. Wasn't enough for Dwight York and his men, though. Yes, indeed. It wasn't enough for Dwight York. So Trinidad and Tobago bow out of World Cup qualifying now. They cannot make the playoffs. As for Jamaica, it's put us in a little bit of a pickle because Curacao absolutely slapped up Bermuda. So they're currently at the top of the table. And next, the reggae boys will be facing Curacao in Kingston on Tuesday. And Jamaica need three points. a win from that game.
45:38Kasey Keller:All right. Let's get into some NWSL semifinals. The Washington Spirit up against the Portland Thorns.
45:48Herculez Gomez:Somebody catch it.
45:49Kasey Keller:Have a look at this run. And then she gives it off to Gift Monday, probably the best name in the world, and Washington take the one-nil lead. Yeah, Gift for sure, but this is just all pace, speed. Look at that. Nobody's gonna catch her and an unselfish right here gets her head up very unselfish. Squares it away. Very unselfish. I would have had a goal myself. If you know your opponent has that much pace, you probably want to hold somebody a little further back on that point. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Yup. Uh-oh. Oh! Oh! Oh, geez. This is just shakastrophic all around, but not for Washington, they said, thank you very much.
46:36Kasey Keller:We're going to double our lead. Oh, no. Samantha Hyatt, what are you doing? That's a gift. Oh, no. That is a gift to have. Got to have that little look a little sooner. I'll tell you what, Christmas came early there for the Washington spirit. So Washington win 2-0 and move on to the NWSL finals. But there's another big game coming up tomorrow. Marta and Orlando Pride against our Ali Kriegers, Gotham FC, 3 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Plus. We'll make sure to tune into a special edition of Football W. Following that game, Kelsey Riggs Cuff will be joined by our Ali Krieger, Leanne Sanderson, and Jeff Kasuf.
47:18Kasey Keller:That's right after Orlando Gotham. Trust me, you don't want to miss it.
47:25Kasey Keller:All right, let's look at the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame because there are some new inductees. He's like the Tar Heel legend that is Tobin Heath and Heather O 'Reilly, but also Chris Wondoloski, guys. Thoughts on this? Tony Sanna, Big Cat. Yeah, Big Cat's been in. Good for him. Go ahead, Casey. No, no, I mean, Wondo. I mean, obviously, Wondo, prolific goal scorer in MLS and, you know, has really kind of came out of nowhere to become, you know, one of the greatest goal scorers of all time for MLS. So, you know, and a really good guy, too. Yeah, I saw Tobin Heath, Heather O 'Reilly. I mean, yeah, legends in the women's game, no argument there.
48:02Tony Sanna, good to see him get his recognition. He was a teammate of mine in Colorado, a guy who still does good work within U.S. soccer, that over there in Minnesota. And Wanda was a teammate of mine, you know, with the national team. And I remember playing in the first version of the Major League Soccer Reserve League in 2005. Yeah, 2005. And playing in that Reserve League, thinking we would never get a shot, and seeing a guy who was trying to make it off the bench in that Reserve League and scoring goals there to what he ended up becoming in Major League Soccer. It's pretty incredible, and it's great to see.
48:34Kasey Keller:It's kind of funny, though, because we know that Heather O 'Reilly was already nominated to be inducted before, but because she came back out and played a game, they said, oh, she no longer qualifies, and she was like, my bad. Got it. But she's in there now. Wait your five years? Five years. Yeah. Five years. Wow. Final thoughts on that? What? Sorry. Just final thoughts on that. It's great. The producer is talking to me. Oh, our producer was talking to us. All right, well, that's it for this edition of Football Americas. We'll be back on Tuesday after the U.S. game. See you then.
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From the publisher
Alexis Nunes, Herculez Gomez, and Kasey Keller break down the USMNT's 2-1 win against Paraguay with Gio Reyna getting back on the scoresheet. Then, a discussion on Messi playing in international friendlies in the middle of the MLS playoffs. Plus, Estevao shines for Brazil as Brazil looks to pick up form ahead of the World Cup.
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