United States Fail Belgium Test

22:42men's national team in just a bit. In today's world, planning ahead isn't always top of mind, but not having life insurance can leave families facing difficult financial uncertainty during already emotional times.

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24:07Sebastian Salazar:Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by. Canada took on Iceland today in a friendly, and it ended in a 2-2 draw. It was Iceland, actually, that found themselves 2-0 up at halftime, but Canada clawed their way back after Iceland conceded two penalties. Jonathan David stepped up and converted both. Tejan Buchanan was sent off, though, for Canada with 10 minutes to go, and in the end, it finished 2-2.

24:49And Herc, I know, of course, Canada made a number of changes for this one. They are without a couple of their big names, so how much do we read into this result? I wouldn't read too much of it, but when you're playing at home, you want to take care of business against lesser opposition. Iceland went into Mexico, played against Mexico and Mexico, thoroughly embarrassed him. I know that the whole back line was pretty much new except Richie Larea. You're missing over half of the starters. Offensively, you'd like to see this team get going. It's not a team that scores a lot of goals. Jonathan David, your all-time leading goal scorer, got going.

25:18Captain of the team. There's still no Alphonso Davies. There are players who are coming back from injury. So Jesse March can say, all right, we got this out of the way. Some players are coming back. We'll be fine. But this is the third straight game where Canada has received a red card. It doesn't matter who's on the field. Canada, for whatever reason can't remain disciplined. And heading into a World Cup, they're already in a group where they're not going to be the favorites.

25:40Sebastian Salazar:And if Italy qualifies for that group, well, there might be the third best team in that group. So you have to be not only tactically disciplined, but just disciplined on the field. You can't be a team that's known for losing your head and getting yourself down in numbers. Other than that, I think Jesse Marshall will be pleased with what he's seen from his team in the lead up to the World Cup, but still not going to be easy for Canada. Steve, is that an issue for you, the red cards? It's a red card for stupidity, let's be honest. I mean, what's he doing? The ball's already out of play. Just ego.

26:13And you can't have that. You're going into a World Cup. You can't afford to have people sent off in a World Cup. You've only got a small opportunity to qualify from your group. So you can't have anybody stepping out of line, discipline-wise, and being stupid and letting their ego get ahead of the rest of the team. So Buchanan's absolutely got a red mark against these names. That's for sure. Big time. All right. Well, let's have a look and remind you guys of the world rankings and see where the three host nations do stand. And I do want, well, there you go, 15th, Mexico, 16th, the United States and Canada, further down in 30th.

26:46JJ, let me start with you. If we're looking at the host nations, who do you feel will go the furthest in the World Cup this summer? I hope the U.S., but I think Canada and Mexico can be surprised. So I don't really have one over one. If I have to pick one, then I will go, of course, with the United States. Do you feel like after what we saw today against Belgium, does that give you more doubts? Yeah, of course. I think we all have doubts. And we all look into it and say, OK, how? But we still hope. And that's how I see it. Of course, I know, especially Mexico is a good team, too. And they can fly.

27:29Canada showed it in the quali. I think, but I will not, you know, put the U.S. especially just looking at the Belgium game and saying, okay, this is something that will happen at the World Cup. I hope not. But we saw games where, you know, they played really good too. So I think they just have to get loose. They have to, you know, sit behind closed doors, talk about a couple of things and then get the ball running.

27:54Sebastian Salazar:It's funny to hear Jermaine saying, hey, just get behind closed doors and talk about a couple of things here. How about we yell some things, Jermaine? How about we yell, not just talk, and say a few things? Look, as it pertains to Mexico, they have a, out of all these groups, they seem to have the more straightforward group, not only to get out, but it seems like there is a path for them. Whereas Canada, not so much. And without the sort of, who I think is their difference maker, Alphonso Davies, who has a completely different role with Canada than he does with Bayern Munich. If he's not part of the picture or he's not at his best, I think they become limited, more limited than they already are in terms of what they can do in the attack.

28:41Sebastian Salazar:The United States, I think they'll be fine in the group. It's after the group that the problems begin. When you start crossing over and meeting opposition like them. The United States will be fine getting out of the group. I think. In fact, you know what? I guarantee. United States will be fine getting out of the group. Put some money on it. I guarantee it without money. I guarantee the United States will be fine getting out of the group. But in the crossovers, once they get into the knockout stage, it really is dependent upon who they play against. Because we have seen that when they play against, they played against Germany, they got housed.

29:21Sebastian Salazar:They played against Turkey here, not too far from us, as well as Germany. And even though the score was only 2-1, the difference was far more than a 2-1 result. And that's the opposition that you start meeting in the round of 32, round of 16. That's when I think they're going to be in deep, deep trouble. Round of 16 for the U.S. Men's Nationally would be Belgium, if everything goes to plan for both teams. Ali alluded to it. Canada's got the worst group of them all. There's a potential for Italy to be the playoff winner in that group. and if it's going to be the first game in Toronto versus Italy, it's going to be a Toronto-based Italian team.

29:56They will be not the home team. They will experience what the U.S. Men's National Team has experienced in many places around the continental United States. They're arguably the third-best team. Jesse Marsh knows that. They are hoping they can sneak into the top two. You won't get grouped. It's very difficult in this competition. Best third place can still advance. They will advance. Mexico, in what our colleague Shaka Hislop said, The Estadio Azteca, the conditions with the altitude, the smog pollution, the daylight, that's the ultimate equalizer. Oh, yeah.

30:25Sebastian Salazar:You see where the daylight comes from? Yeah, it comes there. I love that. That's the ultimate equalizer. Even though that is a very poor Mexican national team, I think they can thrive in that atmosphere. They've got the potential to crash and burn, but they also have the potential to run the table and get out of that group. Whereas the U.S. men's national team, this is a trap group. Jermaine said something very interesting earlier. about how Belgium just said, give the U.S. the ball. Let them play with it. Let us be the team who defends and exploits their transition. Because the U.S., let's face it, they cannot break down a low block.

31:00That has been the Achilles heel for I don't know how long. Well, have you seen Paraguay play under Gustavo Alfaro? They are defensively sound. They are a team under Gustavo Alfaro that does not let goals in. They have beaten the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. They are a team that knows how to first defend and then take their chances. Very difficult to break down. Australia, that's what they live off, bread and butter. And then Turkey, if Turkey advance and become the playoff winger into that group, they will be the number one team in that group. They are the most talented team in that group.

31:32The likes that they have, it's Mexico who has the potential to advance furthest because of where they play and their crossover. So I'll go with Mexico. Wow. Did not expect that one. Well, there'll be plenty more talk about the COVID-19. I believe in America, baby. America. And how they will fare at this summer's World Cup on the next edition of Football. Oh, Gargit! Look at that. Gargit! Whoa. Hold on. Squad. I will be on. Hercules Gomez, Casey Keller, Shaka Hislop, and Juergen Klinsmann. This is a late one, but I hope you hang out with us. 11 p.m. Eastern time. Ale Moreno said he didn't want any parts of it.

32:10It's after the Mexico game. Have we got enough cheers? We do have enough cheers. Well, Jürgen's not going to be here physically. He'll be here remotely. All right, let's head to Europe, shall we? Because Switzerland took on Germany. And, well, Germany came out on top. But Florian Wirtz had quite the game. Good performance from him. Two goals. Good. You mean great? Great. I mean, of course. And I know Stevie's watching this, wondering how can he see this in a Liverpool shirt. But we will get there. Have you got a$20? Stop it. Stop it. All right. So Germany get by. It was definitely a tough task.

32:50Good showing there from Florian Wirtz. JJ, what did you make of the game? Yeah, I've been back in Germany, so I can see it firsthand. And I can see that Germany is a team, a young team now, but a lot of quality, a lot of talent. And, yeah, I think the country is hoping that Florian comes back in shape and gets the, yeah, The game is how he played it now and what he played in the past, especially with Leverkusen. But you can see already, the German team is based on the whole structure is built off Bayern Munich. And most players come from Bayern Munich. And I think there's some interesting changes what Jürgen Nagelsmann will make for the World Cup.

33:33He said that he's not going just with the talent. He will go with the best group, what fits together. but he still had the trust in that everybody can be a difference maker on the field. We're talking about Gnabry, Leon Kronetzka, Florian Wietz. They have so many guys that can make the difference, especially even the young kid, Karl. It would be super. I'll say this. I have Germany going fine in this World Cup. Going fine? When you mean fine, how far are we talking, JJ? I don't see them winning it because there's friends, there's some other countries where still, I think, they're a big name, even I think the Argentinian.

34:19But Germany is a team you don't want to face because they have so much individual quality. In this game now, you saw it. Germany is hoping for Florian Wielts to come back and be 100%. And now he showed in one game what he can change and how good he can be. But he's just one-off because it's such a young group and they still have the up and downs. But Germany can go far, and I think they will definitely come out, of course, of the group stage. And then whoever they face, it will be tough for the people who face them. Stevie, Liverpool could use some of that Florian Wirtz magic, eh? You think? Never noticed.

35:01How'd you get it? When you see him do that, how'd you get it in a Liverpool shirt? Look, I think the worst thing that happened for Florian Verts is that the other ten around them this season have been struggling big time. Now, for a player like him and what he needs around him in order to show what he's capable of, he's not playing on a side when he plays for Liverpool that does that. When he plays for Germany, he's playing on a side that does that. You know, Jermaine's talking about the youth that they've got and the exuberance they have and the confidence they have. And they've got that core from Bayern.

35:41It's all pass and move. It's what he thought he was joining when he went to Liverpool. And so when he goes into that squad and that team, he's just comfortable. It's easier for him. Well, he makes it look easy. You know when you go and stay in a hotel, it's maybe about a five-star hotel, and then you go back home to your own bed? My bed's quite comfy. Your own bed's always the best, isn't it? Yeah. And so when he goes back to play for Germany, it almost seems as though he's going home, everything's settled, everything's calm, he's composed, the confidence rushes back. And for a player like him, when you feel all those positive things, you see everything.

36:25The vision that he has, that he showed us at Leverkusen, all of a sudden, somebody's taken the... Somebody's opened the curtains and he can see everything that he's not been able to do at Liverpool. Not just because of him, but because of what's going on around him or what's not going on around him. So what you're saying is Liverpool are failing him. He's not failing Liverpool. Absolutely. Listen, players have to take a responsibility for a certain amount of what they produce. But at the end of the day, when you buy a player like Verts, you need to supply them with certain things around them. And Liverpool haven't done that.

36:56And Germany do. And Germany right now, as we saw, are getting the benefit. Then bring Germany to him.

37:03Sebastian Salazar:To Liverpool. Play the German national anthem at Anfield. Play David Hasselhoff if you so desire. Play whatever you need to play. Look, in all honesty, you watched him play yesterday and there were sequences of play throughout the game. in which, and all of us that have been part of training sessions would remember whenever you played a possession drill or you go to goals and you play with a neutral, right? The neutral guy doesn't have to defend. The neutral guy is always your outlet. The neutral guy is the guy they're always trying to find. He's going to get some touches. And you find the neutral guy because nobody's picking him up.

37:42Sebastian Salazar:Everybody else is matched a 1v1. He played like the neutral guy. Everybody went to him. Oh, he lays the ball off, gets it back again. He passes it, gets it back again. He switched the point of attack, he gets it back again. Everything in the attack for Germany went through him. It's like they needed his permission in order for them to be able to find something productive in the attack. And he was outstanding. It was every bit of what we saw at Bayer Leverkusen. It was every bit of what we see every time that he plays for Germany. And every bit of what we don't see when he's at Liverpool. And the contrast is so clear to see that you kind of go, where in the world has this been?

38:24Sebastian Salazar:If you're Liverpool and you get this from Florian Verz, that's the player. That's the world-class talent that Liverpool think or thought they were getting. So it's there. It's within him. Now it's about finding the continuity with Liverpool that you're finding with Germany. He literally played like a neutral guy in every training drill, just getting touches whenever he wanted. All right. Well, we know it's getting pretty late where you are, JJ. So we're going to let you go. Thank you so much for joining us today. But don't worry, you're not getting rid of us that easily. Because he's going to be joining us for our World Cup coverage this summer.

39:00That's right. Another member of the squad. Avengers Assemble. JJ, we can't wait to have you here. I will talk to you again soon. Thank you, guys. And have a good day. Rest of the day. Guten Nacht. Guten Nacht. Guten Nacht. Yeah, I do. I do a couple Bundesliga coverages. Don't you worry about that? Don't you worry about that? Allies. All right. Allie Bundesliga. Well, there's FA Cup quarterfinal action coming your way this week in April 4th. Look at those fixtures. Man City against Liverpool. That's an early one, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. Chelsea against Port Vail later on. And then Southampton Arsenal.

39:36As for April 5th, that's where you can find West Ham up against Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. When was the last time you felt in control of your business finances? Expenses tracked, invoices sent, taxes ready. That's where Found comes in.

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41:04If you look at the numbers, it doesn't show that big of a difference. but for anyone who has been watching Real Madrid recently, we have noticed a change in the spirit of the team, so to speak. Well, I got to catch up with Eduardo Camavinga yesterday, and he had this to say about what he thinks has changed. As you said, now you guys definitely have been doing better. Arbeloa has come in too. What's changed under him? What are you enjoying about playing with him? I think it's like he got the same spirit as Ancelotti because he let us a lot of freedom on the pitch and even us on the pitch. He's really someone like look at the player, talking with players as well.

41:44Sometimes he came with some gifts after the training. Like actual physical gifts? Yeah, some donuts sometimes. Donuts? You're allowed to eat donuts. Sometimes, you know, sometimes. Some chichu mix sometimes, you know. So that's the secret, eat donuts. Yeah, sometimes, yeah. Like speculose, speculose. And oreo as well sometimes. But yeah, like it just goes like a good spirit and I think that's helped us as well because I think when the spirit in the team is good, then I think the things in the pitch are going to be even easier. Yeah, I feel like you could tell that the spirit in the team has changed and when you have players like a Kilian, like a Vinny, that you almost don't need to over-coach, do you feel like that's what makes them play better, that's what makes you guys play better, the freedom?

42:26Yeah, I think this type of player because I think they are playing high level since a long time So you don't need to do very focus focus on them. Just make them happy You know make them happy and then I think when they're happy it's easier to play because everything is on the mind So if like you got freedom and happy happiness on your mind Then your feet gonna do whatever they want Well talk to me about a man that I know you got to see yesterday just of course for a different team and that's Carlo Ancelotti I know you respect him so much of course and a lot of your time at Real Madrid has been with Carlo Just tell me about the kind of manager he was and how crucial he was to all the success you saw under Real Madrid.

43:09I would say he's like a guy who's really close to the player. He let a lot of freedom. He's really a guy he understands. He's not really like, he's really a manager, but he's like, I would say like a father. because he understands maybe if you feel bad or if you are something off the pitch, he's going to let you days off to just take care of your situation or something like that. He's really an understanding person. I think that was the key. That's why he did a lot of time in Real Madrid and we won a lot of Champions League. Is he probably, at least for your club, one of the best, if not the best man-manager that you have worked with?

43:47And is that sometimes the secret to dealing with a team like Real Madrid with so many big names? Yeah, I think that's what I said, because we are already a great player. So I think the key is just to give happiness. Give happiness to ourselves. When your mind is perfect, happiness and things like that, your feet are going to do everything. All right, so things have changed. The spirit is better under Arbeloa. Ale, what did you understand from what Edu Kamavinga had to say?

44:18Sebastian Salazar:I'm surprised. I'm shocked. Oh, boy. I can't quite possibly wrap my head around the fact that players like freedom to do what they want, when they want, and that they don't want a manager that is all over them to have some defensive responsibilities or is demanding defensive responsibilities. I think there's a happy medium here. You can't just have all-out freedom to just let players do whatever they want because that can only get you so far. You do need some organization. You do need some structure. And while for them it was a nice change of pace, that obviously you had Xavi Alonso who was harping at them and the details and this and that.

45:02Sebastian Salazar:We're going to do this, and you've got to be over here, and you've got to move three yards that way, and you've got to move three yards this way. And they were not all for it. So when Arreloa comes in and says, these players are great. We're just going to let them play. Of course. They feel the freedom. They feel like, oh, now it's a time to express ourselves. But again, that's only going to get you so far. The talent of this team is at lead level. The structure of the team is not at lead level. And when they play against a team, say, for example, Bayern Munich coming up on Champions League, that's when we're going to see where all this freedom and all this good vibes, whether that's enough to beat a team of that quality.

45:38Listen, players are going to push you as much as you let them. And these players around Madrid, for as talented as they've been, were allowed to do and have that freedom when they want it. In comes Xavi Alonso, and he pushes back. And then it's one of your parents say, don't do this, and the other one's saying, no, go ahead, which is Florentino Perez. So when Florentino Perez backs a Vinny junior after he gets substituted and he has a public meltdown and he blames the coach and they almost have Barcelona come back in El Clasico and publicly apologizes to everybody besides the coach, you've already lost the dressing room.

46:13You've already had one of the parents say, they can do this, it doesn't matter what you say. So you lose authority. So, yes, Waka Mavinga enjoys the freedom. Players are going to do what you allow them to do. They're going to get away with what you allow them to get away with. And most players do enjoy the freedom of having a day off, the freedom of not being told what to do in a certain way. Or a donut, for that matter. Or a croissant, or an Oreo. I always found that a good idea. Stevie, obviously it's really hard to find that balance. Why do you feel Xavi Alonso couldn't find that balance? Well, I think the character of the side was as much of a problem as anything else.

46:48You've got players that don't want to listen to a structure. Do you then not allow players like that, like a Vinny Jr. and a Kylian Mbappe, to kind of get a pass then when you see it's obviously not working with them? Well, you only get a pass when you're winning. And when you start losing consistently or the team is not performing consistently, then you have to fall back on the basics, which is a structure where everybody has a job and everybody has to do their job. And then once you do that, then you can start going the other way. I mean, go and ask a player when a team's struggling how good the manager is.

47:21You might get a different answer. You might get a slightly different answer. So right now, this little spell they're on, as much as anything, is down to the raw talent that they have, the individual. Vinny all of a sudden is playing out his skin. You've got Valverde who's changed gear. Yeah. And Bappi's coming back. but when you're just relying on individual talent all the time, it eventually catches up with most teams. Real Madrid, however, for years have been getting away with that. So although I'm saying you need a structure, if there's one team that can get away with it, it's Real Madrid. But every proper team, when things get difficult and they're not quite smooth, you have to rely on a structure.

48:07And if you don't have one, you turn up against the wrong team, you're in big trouble.

48:12Sebastian Salazar:Stevie, you mentioned there Vinny playing out of his mind. It's not a coincidence that Vinny has been playing out of his mind during the time that Kylian Mbappe has been out. Now Kylian Mbappe is back in the picture. And not only is he back in the picture, Jude Bellingham is also back in the picture. So now Arbeloa is going to have to make the decisions that he hasn't had to make getting to this point. Because those injuries made the decisions for you. and he's going to have to include Kylian Mbappe, and he's going to have to include Jude Bellingham, and he's going to have to include, of course, Vinny, and now we go back to the same issues that Xavi Alonso was having.

48:46Sebastian Salazar:How do I play all these guys and still have the key word that Stevie mentioned there, structure, organization, balance, that I don't just rely on talent, that I actually rely on work, on defensive sacrifice. Those things need to happen. It's decisions that Averloa didn't have to make up until now. We'll see how he deals with that. And do it all while your best player over the last four or five years in Courtois is injured. The guy who constantly bells you out. All right. Well, Ale mentioned Vinny Jr. And let's be honest, he is enjoying a nice up in form. This is a look at his numbers under Xabi Alonso versus under Arbelo.

49:23And remember, numbers don't tell the full story. But one thing's for sure, Vinny Jr. is probably one of the most polarizing figures on the Real Madrid team. But Eduardo Camavinga happens to enjoy a very good relationship with Vinny. and he gave us a couple of anecdotes into who the man is that we don't get to see. Tell me more about that relationship with Vinny because I feel like, of course, we cover him a lot in La Liga and I feel like he's somehow misunderstood in the media. But if you could tell us who Vinny really is, what's he like? Vinny's really a great, great person. I think the people don't realize that because every time screaming on the pitch, They think it's a problem, but it just...

50:08I'm not going to say... He's a guy, like, he's really emotional, you know? But, like, when you know him personally, he's really a great guy. He's always helping, like, the young people. Even, like, for example, a new pro is coming. He's the first one to go to show them around and things like that. So, yeah, that's why I got this type of reaction with him because I know this guy is, like, he's an amazing guy. So that's why it's my G, I would say. It's your G. And yeah, he's like, he's misunderstood because he's a guy who's always screaming. And the people just see because they don't know him personally.

50:40So they just see this kind, they just see this part of him. But no, Vinny's really, really a good person and great person. And I mean, it's so funny because of course he gets criticized so much about his dancing on the pitch when he scores, his antics. But you look at how American athletes are here in the NBA or in the NFL. They have big celebrations and people here, we love that. So why do you think you go to Europe now or in Spain? He's vilified for it. I would say just everything is about culture. I think they don't really understand this type of things in Europe because even the Brazil, Brazil, they like to dance, they like to show off as well, like in America as well.

51:20But I think in Europe, they don't really like this type of things. But as well me, just about my point of view is like, If the fans are booing you, the football is still a game. If they did something, you can't do something, it's just a game. After the game, everything is done. Everyone is going to go to their home. When they are booing him and just dancing, it's just a part of the game. I think they took it personally and they criticized. Every time when something happened to him, he just responded. I think the people don't really like that. Just let the man dance, man. It's culture. It is. It's no surprise we've all been there as players.

52:03Stevie, who's the coach, when you have a manager who believes in you, who literally takes you under that wing, who puts his arm around you and says, I know you're having a difficult time. I'm going to ride you no matter what. You're going to be my guy no matter what. You play with a certain type of freedom. You're loose. You go out there. You're having fun. The pressure is off. You perform in a certain type of way. It's funny because we're looking at, you know, Kamavinga talk about Carlo Ancelotti, and I look at a guy like Stevie Nichol, and Clint Dempsey's had an unreal career, but maybe Clint Dempsey's not Clint Dempsey today if it's not Stevie Nichol who's his first manager because he's sort of a wild card, just like Vinny.

52:39You take a player who could be at times problematic for certain others, and you guide him the right way. You make sure that he believes not only in himself but in his teammates and where things can go and where things can head. I don't think Vinny's a bad guy. I think Vinny's an exceptional player. But there is a tendency of who Vinny performs for and how he performs. Stevie, can you see the similarities in the two? In Clinton, Vinny? Not really. You and Carlo and Chalotti? Good point, Hercules. Good point. I didn't say in talent. In terms of the type of player. No, in terms of having him do what's going to bring the best out of him, yes.

53:21Correct. you've got to when you're coaching somebody you've got to figure out how do you get the best out of them now unfortunately for the rest of the Real Madrid team Vinny in terms of playing football is a big kid because if he doesn't get the ball he goes home or he runs away with it and nobody else is getting it I mean that's just the bare bones of it so there's no point in asking Vinny to come back in and sit tight and at least at least, you know, help your team out defensively because he doesn't want to do it. And he's such a superstar. Well, he is a superstar, but he's also a superstar in his own mind that it's not his job.

54:03And there's no trying to change that. No. Well, if you do, then you saw what happened under Alonso. You know, when you let him bring his own ball and let him play with it, then you get the benefit. Well, the problem is it's two of those. Ali was just mentioning, what do you do when Mbappe comes in? Because now it's okay. Teams have one of those players, But when you have two of those players. Well, you throw Belliam and now you've got three. Three, exactly. So Arbelo is having nightmares now. It's great when it's going well. Everybody loves it. Everybody can just go out and play. Don't worry about the structure.

54:32You go, son. Now, as Ali said at the end, now we'll see what Arbelo is about. Because he's going to have to make decisions. And he's not going to be able to just look after everybody and let those three, in particular, do what they want.

54:47Sebastian Salazar:Now, Kamavinga described Vinny as his G, right? You know what that means, Ale. You're my G. I'm with it like that. You're with it, man. What's that? Herc, you know what a G is, like my G. I have no idea. Don't ask me. Right. It's like my G, my gangster. You're my gangster. OG. Stevie, you're my G. OG. You're the OG. You're definitely the OG. Stevie is definitely the OG. Stevie is the original gangster. Wow. And so, of course, Camavinga is going to look at it from the perspective of Vinny and say things like, you know, he's just an emotional guy. And when he's out on the field, he does these things.

55:27Sebastian Salazar:I'll be the first one to defend Vinny when he scores a goal and he goes and celebrates. Yeah, baila, Vinny. Baila. Dance. You do you. You've earned the right to be able to do that. And however you want to go about celebrating, go ahead and do so. The problem is, it's not his emotional reactions that bother me. It's the fact that after the game is over and there's been time for everybody to calm down, for everybody to think about what they're about to say next, he then goes on social media and says something that had no bearing in whatever it is that he did on the field. when he didn't get the Ballon d 'Or and created this whole thing that was backed by Real Madrid, embarrassingly, but was backed by Real Madrid, that tells me that it's not just about emotion here.

56:19Sebastian Salazar:It's about more what Stevie's talking about, that if I don't get my way, then... Throw your toys out. Well, yes, then we're going to throw everything up in the air and nothing's going to work. So I see him, much like her, as an exceptional talent and a guy that if he just focuses on, I'm going to be this guy right in front of me, my 1v1 situation, I'm going to create a chance for myself or for my teammate, there's nobody better than him in that position. It's that sometimes it's about the ancillary stuff. It's about who's yelling from the 30th row. It's about who said something about me in the media.

56:55Sebastian Salazar:It's about who doesn't love me and who does love me. It's about what the referee said to me and said it in a manner in which I didn't care. and it seemed... He's an emotional guy, Ale. Yeah, but you know what? To be an elite player, you have to be able to control your emotions and actually use it to your advantage. Use all of that, bring it in, all of that within your chest and allow it to just blow up in what you do in your performance. And he just loses so much emotional energy, just wastes energy in focusing on everything else rather than what's going on in front of him. When he does this, nobody better.

57:37When he's focusing on everything else, he's in trouble. The problem is try convincing a player who's already scored in two Champions League finals, who's been considered the best player in the world, to change. Let me have a conversation. That's the problem. Vinny, Vinny, we've got to sit down, we're going to talk. Somebody asking him to change who he's been

57:55Sebastian Salazar:and how he's been has gotten him everything. But I'm not saying change. Use all of this. Use it. But use it to your advantage, not against yourself. And that's the part that he has to understand. Use it for you, not against you. Well, Ancelotti helped him in that sense. Well, yes. And apparently Everlois is doing the same. Come on the nominator. Do what you want, Vinny. Do what you want. We all like a bit of freedom, right? I like freedom. Not too much freedom. Get stagios. Anyways, La Liga will be back. What are we talking about now? La Liga will be back on ESPN Plus after the international break.

58:31Real Madrid have a nice little away day against Mallorca. That's at 9.45 a.m. Eastern time on April 4th. Do be sure to join us.

58:41Sebastian Salazar:Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way? You hand everything off and then silence. Days pass. Weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow-up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now, taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full-service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real-time updates on your phone so you always know exactly where things stand.

59:20Sebastian Salazar:Suddenly, you're not refreshing your inbox. You're going for a run, grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just checking in message. Because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app. Only available with TurboTax full-service experts. Quick timeout. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak frozen power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it, and you're out the door.

59:58Sebastian Salazar:No long prep, no complicated game plan. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber, and crafted with 100 % whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you. And there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry, chocolate chip, even gluten-free options. Breakfast that delivers. Snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box. All right, well, that's it for this little international bonanza with a little sprinkling of some club football talk.

1:00:37But don't go anywhere because we're going to be answering your questions next on Extra Time.

1:00:49All right, welcome into Extra Time. Ale, you were chuckling over there. Why were you chuckling?

1:00:55Sebastian Salazar:All right. I cannot tell you. You forgot. It's because I'm essentially working for Ball America's and W this week. Are you proud of me? Yeah, that's it. You got it. That's exactly it. You don't miss much. No, no. All right. You do, bud. You miss what I was chuckling about. Oh, yeah, I didn't get to see it. All right, let's get into the questions, shall we? First one, this one's for everyone. Same question as yesterday. What made you fall in love with football growing up? My father. He was my introduction into the game, and his early memories that I have was following him around and chasing a soccer ball around.

1:01:29That's the very first time, you know, I fell in love with the sport was he took me to his men's league game. Stevie? The ball. Oh, just... Just a ball. Just picking it up and playing. I don't remember ever doing anything without a ball. Oh, that's true, because back in your day, I don't think you had TVs or anything, right? Did you have TVs? No. Radio? Electricity? I had TVs.

1:01:56Actually, I do not remember ever, as a kid, doing anything without a ball. Turned out well. Not bad. Not bad. Ale?

1:02:08Sebastian Salazar:Well, I was first brought into the game because my older brother played, and we went to the same school. And when it was his turn to play, being older, I was still a young kid. We didn't have a team for my age group. I would still have to stick around for his practice. And because I was lingering, basically, loitering around the field, whenever they needed a number, they would throw me in. And so that's how I sort of began to play. But I fell in love with the game the first time when it was my turn to play in a team setting. First game of the season for El Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola against San Agustín del Marqués in Caracas.

1:02:58Sebastian Salazar:I scored. And when I score, obviously there's a feeling about scoring. That glory. But the noise coming from the people watching after scoring, you put those things together and it's like, I want that. Every day. I like that. I want that every day. Give me some more of that. I like that. So Ale wanted the glory, the smoke, everything. I wanted to win more so than anything. I think we should do that for you. We should, like, scream like you scored every time you walk into the office just to let you know you're appreciating, Ale. Well, thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. We're going to do that.

1:03:33No? What are you going to scream? Just cheer for him. I would try now, but I'm still playing a horse. Yeah. Woo, Adley! You're screaming. No, I can't scream. I'm still a bit hoarse.

1:03:44Sebastian Salazar:The thing is, like, there are a lot of players, and people may be surprised about this, but there are a lot of players that end up playing professionally that don't particularly love the game. It's their profession. They're good at it. They like to do it, but they don't actually love it. And I can tell you, in that moment, there was a difference between liking and loving. And so the question was about loving the game. That's when I fell in love with it. That was a beautiful story. That was my favourite one of the three. Thank you. You're welcome. I hope you loved it. Next question now for Stevie.

1:04:19Stevie, will managers at the World Cup actually like the cooling breaks because it gives them more opportunities to provide instructions and make adjustments?

1:04:32Well, the ones that like listening to themselves talk will absolutely love it.

1:04:36Sebastian Salazar:There's a few nos going around. They'll love it. There's a 9 out of 10 of them. And the coach whose team's actually in control of the game will hate it because it'll disrupt that. So you've basically got two different types. You've got the ones that want to keep going and not stop, and the other ones that are just glad that they can get to talk again. and let everybody hear all the wisdom that they're going to give them. As a player, do you like that? Do you like when your manager is able to give you a little bit more instruction or just shut up and let me play? I'm trying to think if I play during a hydration break.

1:05:08I don't think I'm trying to remember. You know, I did. One of my last years in MLS, Kansas City Soccer Saturday, and it's brutal. And you don't even realize there's a break. I mean, this was actual heat. It wasn't a cooling break so we can make some money off of a refreshment. It was actual heat, and you're just trying to get your bearings type of deal. So I don't think I heard the coach. Just give me the liquid. You know, in all honesty, during the game, I hate overcoaching. Yeah.

1:05:38Sebastian Salazar:With a passion. You're a little Vinny Jr. You. No, no, no, no, no. You say what you needed to say. You say what you needed to say during the whole week. Give me freedom. You say what you needed to say in the pregame. Yeah. Then let us go. Yeah, there's got to be that trust there. Yeah, let us go. Let us. you're not holding a joystick putting players in position on the field. Now at this point all the work that you've done, that's it. Now it's about us. Now it's about the players. And the over-coaching sounds a lot more like what Stevie was talking about, hearing themselves talk and their own concerns and their own insecurities rather than what's going on on the field.

1:06:13The worst ever is when you're sat in the other dugout and the guy in the other dugout when you're battering them, it doesn't say a word. It doesn't say a word. Somehow they go ahead and they score. All of a sudden, this guy's out at the edge of the box. And as you come over here, you do this. And it's all for effect. It's all for effect. That's the one that used to get right off my beak. Your beak, I like that. Next question for Herc and Ale. What are the chances Canada, USA and Mexico get grouped at the World Cup.

1:06:55Sebastian Salazar:Zero chance. Okay. Get out of the group. Get grouped, no, yeah, get grouped, meaning that they do not get out of the group. Oh, that they all don't get out of the group. No. Zero chance. Just briefly, I believe it was the U-17 World Cup. Mexico's national team had three points, and they made it into the next round off a fair play. They had less yellow cards. The same format, by the way. And they ended up playing Argentina's team, which went three for three, nine points the next round and one in penalty kicks. It is very, very difficult for a team to get grouped in this new format, which is why I think maybe one can get grouped.

1:07:30That can happen. But all three, zero chance. New phrase for me. I'd ask them for you, zero. Forget about it. Yeah, no.

1:07:39Sebastian Salazar:More than likely, two out of three are getting out. And there's a possibility that three out of three are getting out of the group. So, yeah, I don't see it. All right, next question. Oh, Alexis, how are you feeling about Jamaica next Tuesday? Will Jamaica be going to the World Cup? Honestly, I'm not feeling good about it. I'm just going to be honest. I mean, I did stay up to watch the game against New Caledonia. If you told me that we were going to beat New Caledonia by one goal to nil. They deserve more. I don't even know who New Caledonia is. It's a overseas French territory. It's next to Old Caledonia.

1:08:13So, wait, he's here all night. All right. Yeah, if you told me that we were only going to beat New Caledonia by a goal to nil and then have to go and now play against the Democratic Republic of Congo, I'm not feeling good about it.

1:08:30Sebastian Salazar:I'm not. Give me a taste of it. So that I can give you some sort of glass half full sort of thing. Beacon of positivity. Yeah, beacon of positivity. That is natural. It's natural to me. It is. You could be Venezuelan. We have zero chance of going to the World Cup. And the only thing that we got going for ourselves as of now is that we beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1. Why did you do that to Xhaka? Take that, Xhaka Hissl, because I'm not a beacon of positivity to him. I'm a beacon of positivity to you. You still have an opportunity. You have a chance. We don't. Go out there and fight. Yes. We now take solace in the fact that we beat Trinidad and Tobago.

1:09:06Sebastian Salazar:That's what we got. All right. I take that back then. Then I feel some percentage that we can. If they go out there, I just want them to fight. Just like the U.S., I just want us to have that grit. Just leave something on them. A beggar! Okay, let's move on. All right. Next question. I'm not looking forward to it. I'm being honest. They've defeated me. I never thought I would be defeated. So are they going to make it or not? Honestly, if we're going to do percentages, I'm going to say 60-40. 60 to not. Oh, wow. So you're betting again. They've hurt me. I said I was going to stop making people's sons hurt me, but I let my own country's men hurt me.

1:09:40Sebastian Salazar:Are we still talking about the Jamaican national team? Yes, we are. Yes, we are. Yes, we are. I was definitely confused. All right. For everyone, what's your go-to comfort food after a long, tough day? That will be in, like, your fridge? I guess, or what would you like to reach for? I mean, if it's not Mama's Home Cooking, I don't know what is, right? Facts. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But what dish? Take me back. my mother's enchiladas are great albondigas, chile rellenos ceviche, you're making me hungry I know, I'm actually feeling hungry as well it's just anything that my mom makes that's comfort food it's just slaps, Stevie?

1:10:23no, come on my first choice isn't solid what? oh, it would be soups no oh, sorry oh, that went over my head A nice cold one. That would be your first comfort.

1:10:40Sebastian Salazar:I got spacho. I got spacho. But if you had to go with salt, you'd drink your dinner. If the fridge was empty. Which still also never happens in your house. And if it's past 8 o 'clock on a Sunday night, I go in mince and tatties. Mince and tatties. Why is it that the cutoff is past 8 o 'clock Sunday night? I've no idea why it's short. Oh, because the liquor stores are closed. Yeah. Oh, right. Yep. I said, it's not at 6 o 'clock, isn't it? Oh, I don't know. You know better than us. You definitely know better than we do. Well, I make sure I don't get in that situation. Yeah, that's true. That's what I'm saying.

1:11:21Those liquids never run out in your house. Oh, no. Ale?

1:11:25Sebastian Salazar:Yeah, look, so while I agree that anything that my mom fixes would be the way to go, I haven't been around my mom on a consistent basis since I was 12 years old. Oh. So you learn to toughen it down. Learn to survive. You learn to survive. And when it comes to survival, a grilled steak is something that I can get behind. Well done, I hope. Medium, medium well. Wow. Medium well? I said medium. Well done. Well done. Absolutely. You have it well done. Like chewy. Heathen. Heathen. Not chewy. Everybody has this... Everybody's just thinking that it's chewy because you do it well done. I don't know. I don't really eat steak.

1:12:09I don't really say. No, a proper filet mignon. Oh, hello. That's your go-to. You can still melt in your mouth. Oh, hello.

1:12:19Sebastian Salazar:There was a percentage of people that thought you were going to say filet mignon. I'm glad we pushed through. Give him a bit more credit. Our boys well-traveled. No, I've been to Spain a few times.

1:12:37All right. That's it. That's it?

1:12:41Sebastian Salazar:A grilled steak. A grilled steak. Yeah, that's where it's at. Try a little red. A little red. Spend your life. Yeah, I'll be sick. Yeah, Stevie's not a big fan of that. All right, well, that's it for this extra time. But don't forget that ESPN FC, we are on seven days a week. You know where to find us.

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