Futbol Americas: Vini Jr throws Trantrum in El Clasico Win

28:25Such a smart play by Messi. Great combination with Luis Suarez. Luis Suarez goes wide and then finds Messi. Golden boot winner. And it's a header. You're burying the lead. It's a diving header by Messi. He's scoring a Champions League final. It's one of my favorite goals in football history. But let's take it to the 62nd minute. It's another header. On the board. Yeah, Tadeo Allende. It's a good ball in. Good wing play. He's onside. It's a good ball in. but he's by himself. Look at that. In between three players. Can't do that. 96th minute though. Miami said, hey, let's make it a 3-0 game. Why not?

29:06Come on, man. You know who doesn't need a gift? Come on. Come on. Who doesn't need a gift in Major League Soccer? Do we still have that segment in Porteros de la MLS? One is the loneliest. We never had the segment. Oh. Maybe we should. Good for a kick by Hani Mouktar. I mean, no surprise to see this from Honey Mokhtar, right, Herc? No, he's been one of the best players in Major League Soccer. Another jersey exchange with the GOAT for Honey Mokhtar. And another standout performance from the GOAT himself. Leo Messi extended his most goals against a single opponent with Miami scoring his 11th and 12th against Nashville.

29:44It's his 11th multi-goal game of the season in MLS. Three have been against Nashville. Sorry, Nashville fans. He's led the match with 12 completed passes, 31 touches, and attacking third. Mal, I'll go to what you just said. Who's your daddy? It's Lionel Messi against Nashville, his favorite client. Yeah, yeah. He has completely their number. What's the code for Nashville? Well, Messi has that in his head. There's the thing about this specific game. I'm very glad that I saw a motivated Lionel Messi. That was a great collective performance, but you could sense the eye of the tiger in Lionel Messi.

30:28I don't know if it is the fact that he got the Golden Boot Trophy from Don Garber. I don't know if it is the fact that he signed his contract extension. but I was one of the few that questioned Messi's motivation from here until the start of the World Cup. That was a complete performance by Lionel Messi. Why did you question his motivation heading into the World Cup? Well, because it's one thing for him to want to play for Argentina in the World Cup. A different thing is wanting to stay at Major League Soccer with everything involved in that situation. But to me, that was a motivated player, was displaying physicality, the way he sprinted towards the box, the way he launched himself to complete that header.

31:19And if that's a motivated Lionel Messi, then the rest of the league, they are warned. This is what's coming. Winter is coming in Miami. This was a perfect game that showcases very well what Inter-Miami can do to you, but also the chances they will give you. And they give teams one chance at least every game. And if you can capitalize on that chance, you can then force Inter-Miami to chase the game, and legs will be on your side. Jacob Schocker had an opportunity early on, couldn't convert, and then Inter-Miami does what they do. But then you also see the goalkeeping position is also a position of weakness for them.

31:57So there are chances for teams here. But when you have the greatest player to ever play the game on your team, and he's enjoying his football, when he is having fun on the field, it's his playground. And you see it in games like this. He treats Major League Soccer players like low-level competition because for him, they are low-level competition. That's what it is. He's the leading goal scorer of World Cup qualifying in South America. Playing in Major League Soccer, where the one advantage I thought other teams, players, would have against Lionel Messi would be the physical advantage. He's 38 years old now.

32:35there is no physical advantage because he's so smart mentally. He limits those physical advantages. He doesn't give you an opportunity to use those physical advantages. He is right now the best player I've ever seen in Major League Soccer, and that's probably the stupidest thing I've ever said. Is it, Mel? It definitely is. If you see what he does on a weekly basis, and the whole thing about Nashville, It just happened to be Nashville. You look at his numbers against other teams, they're just as good. And just side notes, we now have on Twitter where it's for you, what you follow, and then like random things that come up on your timeline.

33:16Yeah. Somebody in Argentina, a random thing came up on my timeline and said, is it me or does Inter-Miami only play against Nashville? It just seems like it. It seems like it. And we're going to see another two games against Nashville. And how many more goals? And that's what I'm trying to get. Unless Nashville can learn from the previous, I don't know how many times they've been scored on by Messi, it's going to be Nashville's last stop. For as good as you were, Suraj and Hani Mukhtar and BJ Callahan and company, if you can't get past Messi, you're done. And I don't see them getting past Messi.

33:52I don't see anybody right now messing with Messi's fun. Yeah, it's tough to think that Nashville can have this quick of a turnaround, especially against the moment that Lionel Messi just keeps having. I feel like I've said that so many times on the show, but again, it's the obvious statement when it comes to Lionel Messi. Let's take it to someone who isn't really having a great time. His club is a different story, but let's start with this because the Athletics' Tom Bogart reported last week that due to a verbal altercation between Mike Ivaras and Chucky Lozano when he was subbed off against Houston, His status was uncertain for the playoffs and Leto Lozano not even being included on the roster for last night's San Diego-Portland match.

34:33Let's get to the game before we get into it. I mean, he was in the stands there supporting his team, but how did his team actually do without him? San Diego facing Portland here. Let's take it to a minute 23, a corner kick for San Diego. Manu Dua shoots from distance, hits the post. Oni Balakari scores, Mau. Well, San Diego was the best team in the West all season. Very opportunistic. And this is one of the reasons why leading after playing really well the first 25 minutes of the match. It took a big deflection, too. Yeah, how about this? From who you said is the best San Diego player, Herc, which is true.

35:11MVP candidate, and he's proven it in postseason. He does it with his feet, either foot, does it with his movement, does it with his mind, not doing it with his head. Yeah, there was some life here from Portland, though, at least a counterattack. Anthony finding Velde gets one back from Portland, Mel. Very smart with the way he finds the open space and then once he's on the vault, has the capacity to move in and finish with a hard shot. How about this in the second half, though? Opportunity missed by Valakari there, Herc. Yeah, looking for his second goal. He really should have done better. I don't know why he went at it with his left foot, but he did.

35:50Yeah, that's tough. 66 minutes, though, Jimmy. Forrey commits a foul. Second yellow, red card. Final score. San Diego wins 2-1 over Portland. Here's Mikey Barris after this one.

36:05That is not an indication. Like we said, we had a situation that we've been handling internally. And we said we would take it day by day, week by week. and we think Irving's response has been really positive in the training. He's working really hard. He's showing a lot of commitment to getting back into the team and we had already communicated to him before this game that as long as there's no setback this week, that he'll be back. So maybe we would have expected to see El Chucky Lozano on the bench. Do you expect to see him in the stands? So I'm really taken aback, no, I'm really taken aback by the situation right now in San Diego.

36:54Mike Ivaros and how it's been handled so well, but the length of the suspension. Because for the most important game in their history was decision day versus Portland. Miles said they were the best team in the West. They ended up the best team in the West, but they were in a tight race with Vancouver and LAFC. and they could have lost that. They could have lost home field advantage on the final day. And Mikey Varus and Co, I'm sure the coaching staff and the people in or around the team and administrative position, they made a decision that could have cost them big time, the home field advantage.

37:35And he didn't play against Portland. And ended his side that the first postseason game in their history, Chucky, you're not even going to the bench. You're out again. So I'm taken aback by what went down. Because if it was a simple disagreement with the coach about you shouldn't have subbed me. Happens. Happens. They handle it internally. Maybe they're out. Maybe they're fined. I'm talking about out of the lineup. Okay, excessive to take them out of the 18. But now it's a multiple game and a game that's postseason that can have ramifications into your championship outlook. outlook, what was said?

38:18Was it more than words? What went down? Because now they're not even guaranteeing that he'll be there for the next game in postseason. They're saying if things go well and he works his way back, he can be there. I applaud Mikey Varis for his take. I applaud him, a debutante coach, first year as a professional manager, having the goal to bench your franchise player. The biggest player you have on your team commercially and in name. The first DP. The one guy you built the team around. But this is on Chucky now. What went down that it needed to go this way? And if you're Chucky Lozano, what do you need to do to get back in the good graces of San Diego FC?

39:07And I think Javier Aguirre, who's watching this and asking a few questions himself. Chucky Lozano makes$7 million a year. $7.3. That's his salary, right? Imagine paying an employee$7 million a year and the most important game in the history of the club, you say. Literally in the history of the club. You wait and see. And the team still wins, right? I also give Mikey Varis a lot of credit. That takes a lot of guts. And that takes personality. And I also give the club a lot of credit because it's Mikey Vars' decision. But I'm pretty sure that the executives and the suits would have to check on that decision.

39:53So props to the coach, the manager, and the executives. Now, that quote right there. If there are no setbacks this week, he'll be back. usually I would say 99.9 % of the time that's related to injuries that's what I'm saying, what does that mean? that's related to if there are no setbacks and let me give you this example I was probably 17 years old right? and on a Friday on a Friday I get together with my friends by the way, for the purpose of this story I was 18 already And we decide to go to our nearest convenience store and buy a six pack of beers. 21, you mean. You were 21. In Mexico. I was in Mexico.

40:42I was not in the States. Legal aid for drinking in Mexico is 18 years old. So I go back home and my dad's like, did you have a beer like that? Yeah. Sorry. I did. I'm a man, dad. You're grounded. You're grounded for three weeks. You cannot go out for three weeks. If there are no setbacks, then you can go back and hang out with your friends. This is the way Mikey Vares is treating Chucky Lozano. As a child that misbehaved and now is, under surveillance, checking every single of his moves to see if he's now okay to play in a playoff game. This is concerning. This is not your regular disciplinary action towards your star player.

41:34Like, now I need to know what the hell happened. What the hell was said. Exactly. And if you're Javier Aguirre, who's the Mexican national team coach. Yeah, let's get into that. You've got to be asking yourself, why is this happening? Why was Chucky Lozano not in the national team for over a year? Exactly. Disciplinary issues. And they weren't happy with him. and he also wasn't performing on the field. And I firmly believe if it was Anders Dreyer who had this altercation, maybe it's handled a bit differently in the eyes of a lot of people because he's been having an unbelievable season. Mike Ivarus, this is also an act of faith.

42:11He had faith that his team could perform well without him. Think about what that means for Chucky Lozano. Think about$7.3 million. that's the highest employed person in San Diego FC and they said we are okay without you that's what they thought of Chucky Lozano this moment and if they're thinking that what must Javier Aguirre and the Mexican Federation be thinking and I don't think his place is secure for the World Cup this is not the type of light you want on you if you're Chucky Lozano 7 months out of a World Cup yeah absolutely that That situation in the Mexican national team happened when Jimmy Lozano was the coach.

42:54It happened with Gattuso in Napoli where he was asked to leave a training. Great point. And again, we were talking about a pattern with Vinicius Jr. It kind of seems like a pattern here with Irving El Chucky Lozano. But we will have to see if Mikey Varas, if there are no setbacks, if Lozano is back. That was a very PG-13 story that you told there. Thank you. Thank you. Hey, kids. Cautionary tales all around. Trying my best. Let's talk about what we saw on the pitch, though. Game one of round of 16 results. Inter-Miami, as we just saw. 3-1 against Nashville. Philadelphia, 2-2 against Chicago. Far, but Philly won 4-2 on penalties.

43:33Vancouver, no problems against FC Dallas. Wins 3-0 in FC Cincinnati. 1-0 against Columbus. All right, we're going to stick in MLS now. Hey, why the long face, Tata Martino? So Atlanta United are out of the playoffs but are hard at work to find a replacement for their recently fired head coach Ronnie Delia. Reports say Gerardo Tata Martino is in the running to come back to Atlanta United, a team he led to an MLS Cup title back in 2018. Martino's recent past includes an abrupt exit from Inter-Miami last November in managing the Mexican national team in the 2022 World Cup. It's been a tough going as of late for Atlanta United.

44:14No surprise they made such a drastic move right away, firing their head coach. But the question that really came to mind, Mal, when I saw this for Tata Martino and Atlanta United, who needs who more? Atlanta United for Tata or Tata Atlanta United? Well, misery loves company, right? True. I think that is the perfect example. And this is the second time they'll be together. First time was very successful. Although they say sequels are never great or never as good as the original. Ask Cine Dinsidad. I think Back to the Future might be the only sequel. Rocky II was not the greatest. Austin Powers.

44:59Godfather II is not good at all. But Misery Loves Company, Tata Martino has been trash. Hangover. He was being really, really... No, that was also not good. Tata Martino has been very, very bad. has been very, very poor as a manager as of recent. He had a chance to be part of Messi and France. Yeah, they won the first edition of League's Cup. But then not really much to tell. Oh, come on. And honestly, I mean, I feel like the recent experiences with Tatna Martino have probably shown us that he's not a great manager. I don't think he's a great manager, but I can see why Atlanta United is going back The man that delivered a title.

45:41Spoken like a true Mexican national team fan on Tata Martino. And they will never forgive him. And I don't blame him. I don't blame him. But I regret nothing. Tata Martino was very good in Major League Soccer. And as of recently, he set a points record with Inter Miami. They want to support his shield. He knows how to win in Major League Soccer. Tata Martino knows what he's doing in Major League Soccer. I will remind you of the success in Atlanta United. With Atlanta, they won everything with Tata Martino. And they were damn fun to watch. That was a great squad as well. Great squad. Great roster.

46:17Greatest show on turf in Major League Soccer. I could have been the manager of that club. No, I don't think so. Let me tell you why. Let me tell you why. So what happens with Atlanta United, Atlanta United are looking to assemble a squad. The very first player they go out and get is Kenwin Jones. Kenwin Jones, Trinidad and Tobacco player, came from the Premier League. player number one that Atlanta United got. In comes Tata Martino after Kenwin Jones. Tata Martino goes, I can't play the style that I want to play with this type of nine. I need a nine that's dynamic, that can move. In come the Joseph Martinez, Tito Villalba, Miguel Almiron, and Miguel Almiron has publicly stated that the reason he comes to Atlanta United is because power guy national team coach at the time when he was growing up was Tata Martino.

47:06Tata Martino personally called me. I was sold. I came in. He created a team, a brand, a setup that was conducive to winning in Atlanta. Atlanta's best years are Tata Martino-led. Everything after has been a total shit show, a disaster. CSPN Plus. That's a bad word. Peach third. This is a team that at the height for Atlanta United, the best thing you can watch in Major League Soccer, a super club. And that came with Tata Martino. I think this is a brilliant move because on any given weekend, Atlanta United sells out that beautiful stadium and you compete with the biggest teams in the world in attendance.

47:46But those people are smarting up and they don't want to spend their hard-earned dollars on what you're giving them. But you bring back Tata Martino, that'll keep them around. That'll keep them around. That started with Tata Martino, right? And it was pretty much a fact. that Atlanta fans were going to Atlanta United games more than they were going to see the Falcons. Oh, yes. Quick question. Yes, sir. How good is this roster? That's why I think you need Tata Martino. How talented is this roster? I think you've got names and you've got pieces. But is it more talented than the roster that he had at Inter-Miami?

48:27Let me just say, you got names? They haven't built the roster, though, with what he has in mind. Well, what I'm trying to say is Atlanta United has some very interesting pieces. But these pieces don't fit on the puzzle board. That's how badly constructed it is. I think part of the reason you bring in Atata Martino is because he's already understood what MLS is about and how to build the squad. He has an idea of how he wants his team to play. He knows the setup. Miguel Amiron is still there. I think he'd be the only player still there that he knows. He can lean on... Actually, I don't even say lean.

48:59I think Atlanta was successful because of Atata Martino. He broke the manager-doesn't-know-Major-League-soccer mold. He understood it very quickly, and he built something very special. I can see that. This is his level. This is his level. Tata Martino, Major League Soccer thing. That's a good pairing. I don't think he's a really good manager. But Major League Soccer, yeah, I can see that. This is probably, yeah, this is his. Shade. Yeah. Well, shade. No, reality. Factos. Did he end the kiddos? Factos. I think this is what Tata Martino's still a big enough name where the day tomorrow, if. He's running a big risk.

49:35Well, that's what I'm saying. But let's say if you go to Boca. Taking a big risk. No, I don't think it's a big risk. Oh, yeah, because he has a reputation within the Atlanta fan base. He has a reputation of a winner. He doesn't have to win. He is a winner. If things don't go well for Gerardo Martino, everything that he achieved will be a little bit tarnished if he's not successful with this club. I think he would have to royally mess things up. Well, with Tata Martino, chances are, Chances are it's going to happen. Atlanta United, they need something that makes the fans optimistic going forward.

50:12Garth Lagerwey, who, you know, send our best wishes to, has removed himself from the team while he deals with his illness with cancer. They need something to hang on to. The previous years for Atlanta United under countless coaches have not been good, marred by just ugly play and managers who have not taken the job, I would say, as seriously as they needed to take it. Tata Martino is everything good that was Atlanta United. If you need to go back to that well, I've got zero issue doing it. Maybe you take a risk, Mau. Maybe. I don't think so if you're Tata Martino. I think if things don't go well on Tata Martino, it's otra raya al Tigre.

50:51I don't think it's anything big on Tata Martino in terms of legacy. But the other side of that is just so, so much. Seems very low risk with the pass that he has as well with MLS and with Atlanta United. He's very respected in the league, maybe with Inter-Miami specifically. That's a different thing, but we know that they're on a different planet. Gio Sabarese was the other name that was kind of floating out there. It's not official. I'm hearing Gio right now for the Red Bull position could be an option as well. He deserves another job. Agreed. He deserves another shot after his job with Portland.

51:22Absolutely. Well, we do want to remind you that ESPN FC is available daily on ESPN+.

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52:19All right, let's take it to Mauricio Pochettino and the latest news with the U.S. men's national team. There will be no U.S. MNT January camp this 2026, according to U.S. soccer VP Oguchi Onyewu. Now, starting next year, the camp will now be held every December to adjust Major League Soccer's calendar, but it has been a mainstay since 1997 and been mainly used to observe MLS talent. So the question is, obviously, 2026 just takes it to a different level. Are you cool with Mauricio Pochettino not holding that January camp? I think I am cool with it. I think I'm fine with it. And I know that this calendar year 2025, Mauricio Pochettino was really looking at domestic players, Major League Soccer players.

53:10He nominated a lot of those players for national team camps. At this point, he knows. At this point, he knows who can be a part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup. So the European players are not coming for that January camp. Major League Soccer, everybody's in preseason or about to start preseason. There's no need for extra training sessions, extra friendly games. I think I'm cool with it this time. Herc. They're not getting rid of it. Just moving it. It's December. You know why they're not going to get rid of it? Because it's TV money. Because there's a contract with the television network, and they have to do it.

53:50No other national team around the world really does this. And if they do, damn well, be sure it's tied to TV money. There's no need to go beyond the FIFA fixture dates. But U.S. men's national team, U.S. soccer, do it because they have deals in place with Major League Soccer stadiums and because they have a deal in place right now with Turner Broadcasting to get games on. So they need to fulfill these games, and it's part of the TV package. It's part of the stadium package. That's why they do it. It's great for Major League Soccer players to have an opportunity to shine in front of the national team coach, but what are we doing here?

54:30Like, we're just making business because this isn't sporting. Yeah. You know, that's not what it's about. And they're moving it a month. So while January camp, I guess, is ending for this year because of the World Cup, it's not going anywhere. It's still Camp Cupcake. It's just in December. Camp Cupcake. Does this mean that Mauricio Portuguinos already made his decision with the MLS players that he's considering for the World Cup? No. I mean, a lot of things could happen. A lot of things could happen. He has an idea, though. He must have a very, very solid idea regarding Major League Soccer players.

55:07Who would be in, who would be out. I mean, yes, of course, in the span of February till May, there can be standouts for sure. But at this point, he has an idea. He must have an idea. I hope so. But if you were to ask me, you know, a year ago, what Major League Soccer players I thought could make the jump a potentially part of Major League Soccer players competing, you know, for a spot in a World Cup team under Marisa Pochettino. I would have said Brian Gutierrez's kid from Chicago looks pretty good, and he can't get a sniff. He can't get a sniff. So he must have an idea. I don't know. But he knows what he likes when he sees it.

55:42Sure. I just don't think this December camp is going to be anything different than a January camp, and it's business as usual. Yeah, it's just a shift in schedule. It's just interesting the timing of it all. heading into the World Cup, which is why, yeah, the names that we're seeing for MLS, I mean, your laugh was indicative, but we should hope that he knows who he's taking at this point. Yeah, and I'll be as respectful as I can while being as honest as I can. If people are hoping for a player in January camp to make a difference at the World Cup, they're grossly mistaken. I think the difference makers are going to be the players who are in Milan, are in the Premier League, are in the Bundesliga.

56:23There could be players who play complementary roles within Major League Soccer. Absolutely. But I don't think you're going to bank on those players to be the star players of the team. Yeah. Let's take it to those players who are in Europe then. We're going to run it back. Let's start with Brendan Arison, who scores his first EPL goal of the season, Mo. I was watching the game, and I was very happy for Brendan Arison to get the chance just to be there. right place, right time. Once you scored the first goal of the season, for you it's big, especially the season, and Leeds are honestly doing okay in the start of the season in the Premier League.

57:05Which is way more that they could say last season. Let's take it to Tyler Adams sticking in the Premier League here. His first assist of the season, Herc. Yeah, it's high pressure right there. It kind of falls into him and then boom Tyler Adams doing what he does winning the ball. It's plowed here and it falls. Taking one for the team. I mean I guess we'll give him the assist. That is an assist for sure yeah. He assisted his teammates somehow sure. Pretty much. Took one for the team. Sacrificed his body for that assist. Fantasy points right? I mean it has to count. Let's take it to Tim way out to France and we go with his first Ligue 1 assist of the season, Mo?

57:48Well, he's been coached by a great manager in Roberto De Servi. They like playing a very, very aggressive style. The fact that he gets those minutes and those touches is great for Timothy Goya, in that position especially. Let's take it to another assist, but here with Josh Sargent with his first in the championship season, Herc. Oh, it's been a rough spell the last five, six games for Josh Sargent. So anything you can do to get yourself going, regardless if it's not a goal if it's an assist you need to do it norwich in general they've been struggling as well yeah absolutely i mean really fighting to stay out of the regulation zone which has been a struggle not only for them but for borussia monge and gladback as well gio reina and joe scali making cameo performances for this one mal with joe scali a long time now with gladback but for gio reina those minutes are big for him leading up to the world cup here's archie rentout with joe scali after this one.

58:46You've started every game this season apart from today. Did the coach say why he was rotating you out today? No, I had some problems during the week with my ankle and knee, but you know, it was just that. Just speaking to the local media around here, they say they have a lot of respect for how you came over here as a teenager and have established yourself as a Bundesliga regular. They also said that they were maybe expecting for you to take another step in your development in the last year or so how do you see it yeah I mean it's difficult you know when I first came it was the team that was playing Champions League so it right away makes you seem better and the team seem better so I think you know if people look at it that way it could seem that way but in the end I think if you look at statistically the way I've been playing it's much better than the every year so just finally World Cup is at the end of this year of course I'm sure that is your dream to reach it what do you have to do to get back into the plans of Mauricio Pochettino Yeah, I think just keep playing.

59:44Just keep playing consistently defensively. You know, of course, also as a team, it helps when we're winning. Obviously, you know, when we're in last place, it's very difficult. So just, you know, trying to get some wins with the team and just keep continuing to play strong. I mean, very interesting questions there from our colleague Archie Rintut. And very straightforward with Joe Scali, too. So, Herc, I'll ask you, has he improved or regressed with Borussia Mönchengladbach? Well, Gladbach's regressed. Right. Joe Scali just said they were a Champions League team when he got there. They were fighting those type of positions, European positions, and today they are last place in the Bundesliga.

1:00:21Zero wins with a minus 18 against goals. 18 goals against. It's not going to look good on a defender if you're part of a defensive line that's already shipped in 18 goals. This isn't an indictment on Joe Scali, who I think has been one of the more consistent players. Forget American players abroad. I don't even think that's a question. You look at the players since I've been covering this team last four or five years. Top five league. He consistently plays. And he's had more minutes in his age group, U23, than a lot of players around the world. He's a very good defensive player that's played on the left-hand side, on the right-hand side, in a line of four, and a line of five.

1:01:10That has also played as a center back. in a three-man center back. That would be a very good option for the national team or other clubs. Right now, it isn't a Joe Scali problem. It's a Gladblatt problem, which is why I'm a little dumbfounded as there's a narrative that he hasn't taken that next step. I can argue he's one of the few players on the U.S. Miss National Team that has taken that step and consistently been there. He's a player right now that's on a bad team, and he's a defensive player on a bad defensive team. It's not a Joe Scali problem. Does Mauricio Pochettino see it this way, Mo?

1:01:46I don't know. Should he? I think he has to look at Joe Scali as one of his really good options. As Herx stated, he can play as a fullback, but in a back five, he can be one of the center backs. and that versatility is going to be very useful for Scali, but for Pochettino as well, because that backline for the U.S. Miss national team is not set. There are a few players that we know are going to start regardless, but Joe Scali is one of those players whose versatility is going to tell Mauricio Pochettino, I got to take a look at this guy. I got to keep taking a look at this guy. Regardless of how his club is doing, Maybe he's being a part of a rotation with a starting lineup with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

1:02:40But I feel like Mauricio Pochettino is still going to consider Joe Scali as one of his options for that back five. And they asked him. He's a starter every single game except this game. And he said, I have had an issue with my knee, with my ankle. There's been a few issues there. And that could be the reason he didn't start. But this is just a bad team. You know? And we had Lutz on here a while ago talking about how difficult it would be for Gio Reyna to be on a team that would be in a relegation battle. I've got no issue with Joe Scali. He's not a player I'm worried about when it comes to if he gets time at Gladbach.

1:03:16I'm worried about if Marisa Pochettino sees the value in Joe Scali that he sees in Alex Freeman, that he sees in other players he's called up. A Joe Scali who's played on the left-hand side as well when you don't have a healthy Anthony Robinson in the event. No idea what that's going to look like. when you have Max Arfsten who plays more as a wingback and quite frankly is better in the final third than he is defensively. So those are the questions I ask myself, not if I think Joe Scali has regressed in the Bundesliga. Well, Joe Scali and Gladbach still have an opportunity to show maybe a little bit more than they have lately facing St.

1:03:57Pauli on Saturday, 10.30 a.m. Eastern on ESPN+. streaming live on the ESPN app. Let's take it to El Clásico Tapate el Pelazo de la Hormiga. Let's take it to what we saw from Armando Gonzalez. Not a surprise to see him scoring with the 1-0 now. 10th minute. The anticipation, waiting in the far post, but then sees the opportunity, anticipates the defender with a great header. 27th minute, Chivas putting it 2-0, courtesy of Luis Romo. There he is! Luis Romo, who's found himself all over. He's found himself in a center back position in the midfield and gets a good goal there. Two minutes later. Yep, La Hormiga yet again now.

1:04:47Yet again. Right place, right time. Ball goes to the crossbar, but he's the first one to get to the ball, launches himself and scores his second. A rough defensive play. Let's make it 4-0. Why not, said Chivas. Why not? Said Gonzalez hurt. That's a really valiant finish. Good movement, but the keeper's coming out. It's a slight tackle chip. He does it very well. Off the post and in. Got himself a hat trick. That's tough to do. Oh, yeah. This kind of reminds us of El Clásico Trágico. Mateo Garcia getting one back for Atlas now. I mean, no business Atlas scoring that goal. They were completely overwhelmed by Chivas.

1:05:25So it was a hat trick for La Hormiga Armando Gonzalez. This is what he said, a hat trick. I have that dream of going to play in the World Cup. I feel capable, prepared, and focused on what depends on me, whether I'm called up or not, or doesn't depend on me. But I'm grateful to Javier Aguirre and Rafa Marquez for taking me to that micro cycle. I see myself at the World Cup, but I respect Berterame, Santi, and Raul. I know what I can do and contribute for the team, and I think it shows in what I'm doing with my club. Haciendo lo que le toca. Doing exactly what he needs to do, Mau, to still stay in this conversation.

1:06:05Yeah. Because you know you're doing enough when these questions are a constant now for La Hormiga. I have flashbacks of Santi Jimenez scoring for Cruz Azul leading up to the World Cup. and the pundits, commentators wondering, is he going to have a spot in Tata Martino's team? In the end, he didn't. I mean, props to La Hormiga, the ant man. El Hormiga, the ant man. That's another nickname. Not going to say it here. But when he says, I respect Santi, I respect Raul, I respect Berterame, he should not respect Berterame. And he said Berterame first. Yeah, he should not respect Berterame. I think that's going to be the battle.

1:06:49That's going to be the battle for the final number nine spot of the Mexican national team. There aren't that many Mexican-born number nine strikers that score at his rate. So he has now to go on, fight Berterame, and earn a spot. We need younger players being part of the World Cup. We didn't have that four years ago, and now we Mexicans are paying the price. And I would love to see el insecto del gol to become a regular for Javier Aguirre. Because clearly he's on fire right now, but if he still is going to have this confidence and the manager believes in him, then I think we are going to be in the same position as we were four years ago with Santi Jimenez.

1:07:42What's the question here? Should he get an opportunity? By the way, you know what the two I'm getting if he starts a game for the national team. Should he be the third striker? For the Mexican national team? Yes. So I think there are a couple questions here, right? Should he get an opportunity with the Mexican national team? Yes, absolutely. If you're in a good moment, you should have an opportunity because Javier Aguirre, because everybody in this panel, because the Mexican punditry and the fan base know what they have. He's one of the few players that are coming out out of nowhere and are on the radar.

1:08:09So you see that and you want to see what he can do maybe in this November series. So should he earn an opportunity? Absolutely. But just because you're good in Liga and Mexico doesn't mean you're going to be for the national team. Okay? That's the other one there. I'm already hearing the narrative of should he go to the World Cup. Right? Because Mao was talking about Santi Jimenez and the opportunity missed. And because Tata Martino didn't take any young players in this next World Cup, there will be no players under 25 years of age for the Mexican national team with World Cup experience. That's a big problem.

1:08:41Right. It's a big problem. Santi Jimenez had just made the move to Feyenoord. He is still right now at Chivas. But people need to understand the context around Chivas and the context around Mexican national team or Mexican young players in general. In Chivas, this is a team that historically the last 10 years has hovered around mid-table. They're in sixth today. Gabriel Milito's done a hell of a job. And with that, he found La Hormiga. With that, he found Gonzalez. And he is right now second leading goal scorer of Liga Américas, a league that is plagued by foreign talent. Other leagues around the world, they have filters.

1:09:20You want to play in the Premier League and you're a foreign player, you better play on a good national team and you better have so many games so you can acquire a work permit. In Mexico, on any given game day, all you need to do is have at least or at most eight foreign players but if you want to litter your team or your program with foreign players you can do that and most clubs do so what happens the important positions the goalkeeper the center back the central midfielder the playmaker the forward the spine is taken up by foreign players you don't see young goal scorers young mexican goal scorers in mexico here you have one on the most mexican team chivas here you have one that eerily reminds me of Javier El Chicharito Hernandez on one of the biggest clubs in Mexico.

1:10:05And if you know Javier Hernandez's story, he heated up at the right time, right before the 2010 World Cup. 2010 Javier Aguirre. 2010 Javier Aguirre. And he's off to the World Cup. And then he scores against France, and he scores against Argentina in that World Cup, and it starts a legendary career. The all-time leading goal scorer of the Mexican national team. It starts because you gave a young Mexican player who was in a good moment, an opportunity. But this is like when you see a team that's supposed to dominate a big team against a not-so-big team that you don't really know about and that not-so-big team scores in the first five minutes and you're saying to yourself, oh, they scored too early.

1:10:44So my question, what I mean by that is, can you continue this form seven months out? Because that's what it's going to take. Because Mal's thinking Berterame right now. I think Bertram is in, and he'll be in because I think Javier Aguirre has an affinity for him, what he saw when he was a coach at Monterrey, and because he can play him in multiple positions. I'm thinking this player has a realistic shot if he can continue to score goals because the two in front of him, as mainstains as they are, Raul and Santi, have three goals together in the last 20 games for their club. Yeah, but they play in Italy and England.

1:11:18And Javier was playing at Chivas as well. Right, but he had different competition. Yeah, but when you're not in a good moment and you need goals, you go with a confident player. I mean, this is a confident player. So let's say neither Santi or Raul score from here till the start of the World Cup. They're going to be there. Yes. And he keeps scoring at this rate. There's no chance he's going to start over Raul or Santi. No chance. Zero chance. That's not what I'm saying, Mel. I understand. I understand. My point is, my point is, is actually to your point, If El Hormiga keeps scoring at this rate, right, if he scores 10 goals in a regular season, let's say next season scores 10 goals in 14 games, he gets called up, starts one game, or comes in as a sub, scores once, he's going to go.

1:12:08If he keeps scoring at this rate, he is going to be a part of the team. And hopefully, that's going to build the confidence in him so that he can become an even bigger player and maybe try to follow Javier Hernandez's footsteps. Not necessarily going straight to Mount United, but at least giving himself a chance to make the jump and play in Europe. That's a tall order, what we're saying about continuing to score goals. Gabi Melito has done a hell of a job, but the head coach of his club team, when he was at seven goals and they asked him about the national team, said, in my country, he's from Argentina, seven goals, doesn't get you on the national team.

1:12:47Which is an unfair comparison. Forget the comparison. I'm more interested, and you're right. Correct. It's very unfair. But I'm more interested in how he's handling La Hormiga, which I think has been excellent, which lit a fire and is lighting a fire and keeping him going. I think even that comment, too. I think what he's focusing on is keeping this kid grounded because to have a goal scorer with Chivas, the last time we even kind of saw that was Alan Pulido. And we're talking about almost 10 years ago, which is crazy, because that was 2016. Yeah, 2016, 17. Yeah. When they cheated Tigres. When he scored that goal with that fabulous pass from Oswaldo Alaniz.

1:13:26When they cheated Tigres. Don't be bitter. Don't be bitter. His leg is still broken. Yeah. Yeah, that's been really tough. We want to invite you to watch Ahora o Nunca, available weekdays on YouTube. Great show. At Ahora o Nunca ESPN. You look you're worthy. Great show. I've heard it's good. Herc, it's time for your Hercules. All right. Combindo. Look, he's trying to bring this down. There's no way he's finished. Oh, he did do it. Game time. Ridiculous finish. 93rd minute to beat San Luis. Do you really think he tried to finish it or do you think he tried to bring it down? Either way, it's a golasso.

1:14:08I don't care. It's a golasso. Derby, by the way. All right, number two. It's your club, Mauricio. Brian. No, that was my club, San Luis. Rodriguez. One of my club before. One of his clubs. What a goal, man. What a goal. Look at the dip on this, Mal. Look at that. To tie the game. Against Mazatlán. Against a mighty Mazatlán. Big time tie against mighty Mazatlán for Club America. And number one, we're going with Lennon Gill. It's a double bicycle. In the college game. First bicycle here and the second one. Oh! In your face! This is like lightning striking twice. His name is Lennon. Imagine. How are there three players in the back post?

1:14:55Golazo. Oh, look at that crew. Imagine. Oh, we have quite the lineup on Football W tomorrow. Ali Krieger is back along with Jeff Kazup, special guest, Kristen Press and Valantolis Joyce. 8.30pm Eastern. We will see you there tomorrow on ESPN Plus. Great lineup. Honestly, that's a line of five. That's a back five. No need for Joe Scali done. Yeah, so excited to talk to Kristen Press after a very emotional goodbye there with Angel City and of course, Valantolis Joyce's moment with Manchester United. But for now, we have to bid everybody adieu. Adios. Adieu because of your PSG jacket there? Oh, merci, yeah, adieu.

1:15:41Bonjour. Très bien. Adieu tout le monde, merci. Louvre. Ah, no, Louvre-l 'Obs revendent les choses. Merdi. That means poop in French.