The American Vacuum & Premier League Shifts: Unpacking Lalas and Mosse’s 2026/27 Forecast

He certainly will challenge when it comes to ballad. But Balligan is the incumbent. A lot of people have either jumped off the Christian-Policyc train or feel that they have affirmed whatever doubts that they may have had. I still think he's heading in the direction of being the best male American soccer player in history. Whatever anti-American bias might still exist in Europe, it doesn't apply to goalkeepers. It's pretty damning right now that there isn't an American anywhere in a top five European league. I think people are desperate for some change. You call in hall and gozo and Mehmeti and Sullivan. All of them into this this upcoming window. Absolutely 100%. Yes. Hello, sunshine. I'm Alexis Wallace and welcome. Stay with me, you show. This is where we look at the beautiful game, all in and off the field through the lens of red, white, and blue colored glasses. This show will be talking Christian and Rubin. Oh, yeah, more merino, Nashville Express, Community Shield, TV Persona, Odomessi, Kevin, Gozo, Hall, Mehmeti, and Bolo, the Hawk, and so much more. But first joining as always, my friend, my colleague, my guiding lights. David Mossy, a soccer savant, and a Fox soccer researcher and writer, extraordinaire, Mossy, how you doing on this? What are we looking at here? Monday, August 17th in the year 2026. And yes, for those that watch the show, you can see we are coming to you once again, from our studios here in Los Angeles, our revamped studios. How about this lighting, huh? Wow. Whoever came up with this idea deserves a raise. You look even more gorgeous than you normally do. I look at least presentable because of the incredible lighting that we have here. Yeah, a lot of, from the outside, you know, and to the laymen, you would say, I don't know what kind of happened. Well, a lot goes into lighting and some of its subtle that you just, you don't necessarily notice until it's pointed out to you. But, Mossy, I've been around this business for a long time. Make up and lighting, very, very key. What we actually say is really a very little consequence. But make up and lighting, my friends. And when it comes to lighting, we have some wonderful people here that took a little time to go over what we are doing here at the State of the Union and the other shows that come out of our digital studio here. And it just looks phenomenal. As does the artwork with many of you have seen. And if you're just listening to the show, just take my word for it. We, we look good, but we look even better now. Although I taped two pods from New York. One, my camera was fuzzy. The other, it was crystal clear. We got some feedback from the audience. They prefer the fuzziness. They'd rather not see my face clearly. A nice filter. That's it. I think you're beautiful no matter what. My friend, should we like this candle? Yes, let's do it. Where shall we start? Well, as we await all the top European leagues to start up, we've been doing a lot of big picture US national team cycle previous stuff. We're going to go down that path again today. We've come up with a list of burning questions involving Americans in Europe as it pertains to their club situation and also how it would affect them at the national team level. Yeah, and just can I just preface this by saying, I was just thinking about this, we are barreling down the track of our ninth year of the State of the Union, which is amazing. And thank you to everybody that has been there from the start, but obviously the thousands that have come in over the years. We are in this weird moment right now where it's after the World Cup and Europe is just kind of kicking in and these weird pockets here. And what this show has been, what it is and what we want it to be is a, in this case, a bi-weekly look into what's happening around the world and as it relates to American players, and I guess it would be American interests and American soccer out there. And we like to think that we do a good job. At times, we may go back to a subject. At times, we may dig deep into a subject and times may even repeat ourselves, but that's okay. Because I think at times does bear repeating and does require a second look at some of this stuff that we are talking about. And it changes week to week, given the performances. All right, so the first burning question we came up with is, will Peppy Challenge Balogun for the number nine spot with the US? By the way, full of them, I don't blame them after several attempts at signing Peppy. They pivoted, they signed a young Gonzalo Garcia from Round Madrid. It appears Peppy is going to stay at PSV. Another season, he scored this past weekend in an air division match against Excelsior. Assisted by Sergenia Dest. Balogun, we know there have been rumors about Tottenham. But as of this taping, he's still at Monaco. If he stays at Monaco, he'd be playing for Brazilian Felipe Louise, who's the new coach there. So how do you see the whole Peppy Balogun dynamic going into this European club season? Well, first off, I'm not sure Peppy is going to see it like this, but if he does take a step back and look at it, you know, the fact that the full of them thing didn't happen is actually, it's indicative of how valuable he is and how, you know, in this case, PSV does not want to give him a way for anything less than what they feel his value is and what this asset that they have. And they are going to make sure that they get the most money out of it. And again, for the player who just kind of wants to get to whatever that next level is, and I think he would look at the EPL as that next type of level, it's not going to feel good. But again, if you take it in the way that it, the way that in a different way of looking at it, this just shows you how valuable he is. Now, I don't think it is valuable enough for him, not to challenge, because he certainly will challenge when it comes to Balogun. But Balogun is the incumbent. We talked last week about how his stock has gone way up, two thumbs up for what he did on the field. And his recognition, both curating, but also in terms of the eyes of Pochettino as he is the starter for this national team, unless he's hurt. Balogun could come in and, sorry, Peppy could come in and certainly make some waves. And that's a good thing, but we've always been talking about that. If everybody's healthy right now, even with regardless of what Peppy is doing, it's going to be Balogun started. I agree. Peppy would have to significantly outperform Balogun at club level this season for Pochettino to even contemplate revisiting the pecking order there. And then even then, it would ultimately come down to what they do for the national team. But for him to even consider the possibility of flipping it, I think Peppy would have to do a lot more than Balogun at club level. If it's close to your point, the tie goes to Balogun. And, you know, we've talked about how, at least I think, and I think you agree with me. Pochettino doesn't suffer fools, and he doesn't stand on principle. He's not swayed by the winds of where you're playing. I think he's proven that time and time again. However, it would be interesting, Masi, if Peppy were to go to, quote unquote, a higher level and start and score. How much, for lack of a better word, how much pressure would that put on Pochettino to have him? I mean, what if Peppy is lighting it up over in the EPL? Then you're in a situation, and Balogun doesn't make a move. Then you're in a situation of, it's not the best players. It's the best collection of players, and it's the best players that do the best while they're with the national team. Or they both go to the EPL. So now they're playing in the same league, and Peppy significantly outperforms Balogun. That would be a bit of a cobalt. These are champagne problems. We should have such problems. Next up, Will Christian Policic bounce back at AC Milan. Yeah, Ruben Amorin continuing to say all the right things about Policic having a big role to play there. And it's interesting. Policic is going to be 28 next month. We know he's had a lot of injuries over the years. So he might be entering that point in his career where he's going to start to lose some of his pace and not be that demon on the wing. And you wonder, can he adjust to more of a traditional number 10 role? Does he have those kinds of playmaking skills? The way Amorin is talking, it sounds like that might be the way he's going to use him. The seasons can mention the seed impacts the national team as well. When you say pace, I think of, you know, an bombay type of pace. So speed, I don't really equate that with Christian Policic quickness and that first two or three steps, which is everything, especially when you're one on one, even out wide, that's what I equate. And to your point, as you get older, you, you can lose it. I think he's smart enough of a player to be able to lose some of that and still be not just functional, but, but valuable. But when that burst and that first two or three feet that gets him by a player, when that goes, what does Christian Policic look like? I mean, Christian Policic, the times we've seen him in the middle, but he's never been the guy that's going to run the show. He's never been the guy with just incredible vision and it's going to dime people out all over the place. And so that's, you know, that's interesting. As far as Rubin Amorin, what he's saying, I think he's come to the realization that Christian Policic is not going anywhere right now. And so you've got to work with what you have. He doesn't know good to banish him or talk bad about a player that hopefully shows up in the form of his first half of last year. You would agree, given the way the second half of last season went and the World Cup, Policic though, is that another sort of inflection point in his career here? He is. And while his, like I said last last week, his brand has taken a hit, I still think he's heading in the direction of being the best male American soccer player in history. And I still think he has plenty to do. And there's lots of this story that has yet to be written. But I think while we are always interested in Christian Policic, given his talents and given what he has already done, I think that there's added interest in curiosity and I think some skepticism. And I think a lot of people have either jumped off the Christian Policic train or feel that they have affirmed whatever doubts that they may have had. And therefore, the criticism is out there. And by the way, as of this taping, Yunus Musa is still at AC Milan. He had to go back there after a lone spell without Talanta. That's another interesting guy to keep an eye on early in this cycle. Can he kind of rehabilitate himself and work his way back into the picture? So between Policic and Musa, AC Milan could be a club this year that we have our eye on, for sure. I mean, speaking of a train that's left the station, I would think that that's... I mean, unless he just completely lit it up, either there or went someplace else, yeah, I think that would be really, really difficult. I don't think Pochettino is the type of guy that says, oh, World Cup's over and now you're a completely different player. Next burning question. Will more centerbacks please stand up? We know Chris Richards is a given. He should have another good campaign with Crystal Palace, but other than that, now Sean Sullivan threw in Alex Freeman in the context of this question. Freeman, we know he comes into play there. If the U.S. plays in a back three, he could be that right centerbacks or a hybrid fullback type role. Freeman, by the way, came on as a late sub for VRL this past weekend and they're opening La Liga Magic and Srashing Center there. But I'm really thinking more in terms of genuine centerbacks. And I got to be honest, I don't see any of these Mark McKenzie Austin Trustee Cameron Carter-Vickers types leveling up to the point where we're going to think demonstrably differently about them than we do now. So it's really about somebody new emerging, Noah Kai Banks committing to the U.S. and being the real deal, having a good season at Alexburg or somebody else emerging that would make you feel better about the centerback position. I completely agree. The centerback situation is, apart from Chris Richards, dire and needs to be addressed. I don't think anybody that's already in the stable like you said, is going to fundamentally change and become an option going forward. So now you're looking at people that haven't been there. I will say this, when you're looking at players, American players right now over in Europe, there's a lot of American players that are in Europe but aren't necessarily starting or even playing at now through a number of different reasons, not the least of which is some injuries, but also just some choices. And it just going to Europe doesn't solve everything for a player and doesn't automatically make you better. The perception sometimes is that you're better, but if you're not playing, you are of no use ultimately to put Chetino. And I know we're in a moment right now where EPL's coming back online, so there will be more players and American players that are playing and playing consistently right now. But that centerback position, I think, is one of the number of positions out there that is kind of wide open for a trial, if you will, for as many different players as possible going forward. Austin Trussi did score this past weekend for Celtic against Dundee United in a Scottish Cup match, but I stand by what I said a minute ago. Speaking of problem areas, goalkeeper next, the question is when can we expect an American starting in goal in a top five league? Yeah, we talked about this on our last plot. Let me say this, whatever anti-American bias might still exist in Europe, it doesn't apply to goalkeepers because we know the level that guys like Frito and Howard and Guzan achieved in their careers. And even more recently, Manchester City Signs Act, Stefan Arsenal Signed Mad Turner. So big clubs in Europe are willing to give American goalkeepers chances. So it's pretty damning right now that there isn't an American anywhere in a top five European league because if somebody was good enough that they would probably be there, what you do have is young guys who are on the books at big clubs like Gaga Thleunin and Diego Chokin, who are on loan to smaller teams where if they play well there, it's not going to move the needle. But yeah, I mean, I guess this question applies to the whole cycle. Will at any point in the next four years, we have an American goalkeeper starting in a prominent European club. Yeah, I don't want you to be on the books. I want you to be on the cover, which is where the starters are for whatever team slash book that you're on. I don't know. I mean, producer Sean and I were talking before we came on air the last American goalkeeper that was starting at an elite level over in Europe on a consistent basis was what? Brad Gusein. I mean, we've talked about how we had Tony Miola and Casey Keller and Brad Friedel and Tim Howard and Brad Gusein and this incredible run of goalkeepers but not only do we not have goalkeepers, none of them are even playing or playing at a high level. And if they do go out there to your point, we have a history where there are pathways much more so than field players, but then they get loaned out and they certainly haven't done anything that warrants necessarily bringing them. So it's another position right now where while it's something that I think is concerning, again, if I'm on the other side and I'm a goalkeeper out there, I still look at it as an incredible moment and window of opportunity for somebody to fill my kingdom for a goalkeeper. And we'll talk about Matt Frees later on when we do our little MLS weekend review. But the last burning question will Middlesbrough achieve EPO promotion? The championship season is often running. We know Middlesbrough is going to be the yanks of broad team in the championship this season this past weekend. They claim the two and win over Lincoln City. Sebastian Borholtz started. Arston came on as a sub aid more set out with an injury. Middlesbrough last season lost the promotion play off final of the whole city. They are considered one of the prime candidates for promotion this season. We'll see if they can achieve it. I'm sure that some of the soccer wanks and nerds out there have this information as to how many players that are part of a promoted team actually end into the EPO end up being on that team when they get up there. Yeah, I mean, I don't think it's a fate of complete, but I think it's smart and safe money given what they did last year. Not only for them to get promoted, but for the American contingent to help them. Obviously, Sebastian Borholtz is off to a flying start. Not just starting on the field, but making an impact. We saw Max Arston come in and Aiden Morris is still hurt right now, but there could be points during this season where this is a fully American team in terms of the players that we see there. And hopefully, on their watch, they get them to the promised land. Then it gets interesting as you know, Masi, you look at the situation and say, that's all fine and well, but in order for us to even attempt to stay up, we have to make some changes and how many of those changes would involve players other than the Americans or would they continue on? I don't know. Middlesbrough is a club I've always had time for. You know, when we're talking about the possibility of Vinicius going to Arston, I said, there's never been a Brazilian superstar in the Premier League. The first Brazilian star of any kind to go there was Juninho in the mid 90s, which was considered a big shock. Everybody thought he'd go to a big club in Spain or Italy, but he chose Middlesbrough. I remember those mid 90s, Middlesbrough team Fabrizio Ravanelli playing there, Robbie Musto. So yeah, it would be neat to see Middlesbrough back in the Premier League. From a cultural perspective, was it just the business of getting them there? Was it the weather? Was it the food or just the lack of tradition of Brazilian players there or the style of play? All of the above. I remember when I was growing up, Brazilians avoided England like the plague. It was thought that the style of football, long balls, a Tuesday night in Stoke, that type of thing. It just didn't suit the Brazilian flair player. And also just from a lifestyle standpoint, language, weather, food that they would adapt much better to Spain or Italy than they would England. And it's amazing how it's changed. Now, the Premier League is the top European league where by far there's the most Brazilian. So they've got nothing to do with money mostly. No, that's what it is, yeah. I mean, to the point where you're more likely to see a Brazilian international sign with like nodding him forest than AC Milan these days, you know. They just... Well, Middlesboro, they love their Americans. And I love them for loving their Americans. And they will have my attention as long as they keep doing what they're doing. So congratulations to Sebastian Berholtz for starting off great. And we'll see what Max and Aiden when he gets back does. Staying in the United Kingdom, we also had the community shield this past week and Arsenal thumped Manchester City 3. No, this match was played in Cardiff because Wembley was booked. The musician, the weekend, is evidently playing a series of concerts at Wembley. Are you a fan of the weekend? She spells it differently, though. I think there's a strange spelling with the weekend. I could be wrong. I don't know. Does he do the bright lights song or something about lights? I'm actually not too familiar with him. Christina strikes me as somebody that's probably a fan of the weekend. So maybe she can get in your ear and steer you. Well, anyway, the community shield match was not able to be played because of Mr. Wembley and that was doing his show. So it was not able to be played at Wembley. Correct. It was played in Cardiff. Calla Fiori scored after 25 seconds, then it's later in the first half, Harvard's 2-0 early in the second half, Otagard the 3-0. So a comprehensive for the gunners. You don't want to read too much into the community shield, but I will say Arsenal had a real swagger about him. Bruno Guimardang is going to fit like a glove in that midfield. So I do think they are the clear favorites to repeat as Premier League champions. If you were looking for a moment as we turn into a new chapter here to justify your opinion that Arsenal has gotten over the hump, obviously coming off of the title, this would be it in that they are kicking on. They've left that, you know, bridesmaid second best type of persona that they have inhabited for so long behind them. And this is it. Again, the community shield, correct me if I'm wrong. They're both in when it comes to Man City and Arsenal. They're still both tied for the top of the league when it comes to the P.L., right after this game. Correct, it doesn't count towards you. All right, I mean, I'm not making light of it, but it's just, it's a one-off game read it into what you will. If you're an Arsenal fan, you've got to be saying, hey, here we go. Here we go. And if you're a Man City fan, I think you're just saying, it was just one of those games where they give out a title and you at the end of the year say, hey, look, we won the community shield. Shoze and Moody are going to talk about in a few minutes. He used to classify these curtain razor super cups as the least important match of the season, the most important match of the preseason, which I think is a good sort of in-between way to convey what it means. Let me just say this on Manchester City. I like all these young players. They've been finding the last couple years are Marmoushe's and Cherkies and Semenos and Kusanovs and Elliott Anderson sounds like Bwadi the Moroccan is going there too. But with each passing window, they've shed more and more of their championship DNA. You lose the Mares, the Dubroines, the Gunnugans, the Bernardo-Sovas, the Rodries, the John Stones, the Kyle Walker, obviously Pep on the bench. And you look at that squad now, there's actually not that many guys that have won Premier League titles. So they've lost a little bit of that. And Arsenal, who won it last year, bringing back the same squad means they now have that championship now some more than Manchester City fans. Great point. Yeah. That's a great point. And speaking of Rodry, it is official. He's off to Barcelona. I was talking to Judy Boyd about that before we started taping. That's quite the development. It looked like it was going to be around Mojito at one point this summer instead of Barcelona. I think that's a great fit for him. He's obviously going to be surrounded by a lot of his Spain teammates. So. You think it's a better fit? Yes. Just style play and kind of. I do. I do. OK. So the Premier League does kick off this upcoming weekend. Arsenal involved in the opening match against Haji Wright's Coventry City. Also, Cediac kicks off this upcoming weekend. League on. And then in Spain, I mentioned via Rao and Alex Riemann earlier. It was a bit weird how they did it. They split their opening round into two weekends. So there were some games this past weekend. But the teams we really care about would open up this upcoming weekend around Madrid, Barcelona, let it come Madrid. Rao Madrid now managed by Jose Modigno. I did watch the documentary. I have thoughts, but I'll pause for a second. I've sent a lot of things there. So anything to add on the league starting up, the transfer market, anything that's caught your attention? Well, like we said, we just talked about the Community Shield. And it's just this glorified friendly that you either choose to or not to read too much or too little into it. And now we get into what matters. And it's going to be exciting. From a US perspective, we talked about all the different players that at least are there. Many of them are playing some that aren't playing here. You know, we talked earlier about Christian Policic in Turino, this new version of AC, well, even old version of AC Milan, this is a game that they should win. And we'll be looking, is he playing? Is he starting? Where is he playing in this type of a system? If they get off to a good start, West of McKinney. And we'll talk a little bit more about this all on Wednesday as we look forward to the weekend. But this gets exciting from a US perspective. And in general, to have these leagues back and playing that kind of writes so much of the narrative both on and off the field that happens in this world of soccer that we talk about. But I'm excited about it. But I'm also excited about hearing your thoughts on the Marineo doc that we talked about on the show last week. So listen, you know, I've been critical of Netflix's assembly line slapped together approach to these documentaries. I will say this is one was much better than some of the recent ones they put out. I found this very compelling. So I do give it two thumbs up. But I asked about this last week. A lot of the reviewers are pointing this out and I feel the same way. I don't like the way they just yada yada the last decade. I think there was a very compelling fourth episode to be made sort of chronically the fall. And how shows I'm going to end it up at clubs like Roma, Fenerbahce being fuk and how humbling was that for him? And I would have been curious to see what his approach was at those clubs. And him sort of addressing this perception that's out there in some quarters that he's a dinosaur that the game has passed and by. And then you sort of end up saying, well, now he's back around Madrid. He has a chance to silence his critics and prove that he's still, you know, got his fastball. So I think that could have been covered more. That would have been like a good sort of bringing this whole career full circle. Yeah, you would agree. They kind of yada yada that part. Yeah, there's a lot that they of meat that they left on the bowl, the bone and as we talked about before, I understand why to a certain extent for some of this stuff. But yeah, there could have been some more episodes because, you know, the way they did it, you kind of lose sight of the fact that, you know, I know Jose Moneo has almost like a cult following and some people aren't going to like me saying this, but he is kind of a relic of a different age. You think about since he last won the Champions League with Inter in 2010, how many different things have happened? Two different managers have won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane and Carlo and Chalote. Luis Enrique has won three Champions League titles. Chelsea have won it twice without him. Di Mateo in 12 and Tuckel in 21. Pep has kept on winning trophies at a dizzying pace. He won a trouble with Man City. Jürgen Klopp did everything he did at Dortmund and Liverpool. And meanwhile, what he has been kind of out of the spotlight, not really in the center of the action. And I would have loved to hear him speak about that and how difficult it's been to look over and see other managers that he probably considers inferior to him. And they're the ones involved in big time title races and Champions League finals and all the rest. And so, yeah, you kind of lost that in the documentary because the way they made it seem like he's been great right up until like very recently. And, you know, I mean, the way they kind of zip through kind of the downpured in his career. Well, I would only say that nobody is tuning in for Tuckel, right? I mean, the whole, I think the whole point of doing a documentary about this particular coach manager is because he's box office. It's because regardless of the error, regardless of the circumstances, where he is, people are still fascinated by it. Yeah, but last thing that we'll move on, it's, it's funny to hear him say, like, well, but at, at a club like Roma, you're not going to win the Champions League. So winning a conference league is pretty good at a club like that. I agree. But the fact that you ended up at clubs that aren't going to compete for the Champions League, that in itself is notable. Like, why do you think you fell off to the point where like the top top clubs weren't looking at you and you ended up at clubs that are where it's a good season to win the conference league, like, you know, from where he was. So they could have delved into that more they didn't, but that's fine. But like I said, that's, that's a small criticism, I think overall very positive. All right. What's you now? All right. So we transitioned to this side of the pond and the league's cup quarter finals are set. We didn't get a chance to talk about this, but the matchups are Chicago will face Monterey, Austin, Taluca, Leon, RSL, Clubo, Medica, Columbus. We know that MLS teams have won the last three editions of this competition. I have to say though, looking at these matchups, I think this might be the year for League of Mx. I don't think there's a set about which teams got through and how the bracket kind of shakes out. But that's because you think that Chicago, RSL and Columbus and Austin are not really. Yeah, I think that I think they ended up with League of Mx ended up with teams that have more of a recent trophy winning pedigree. So we'll see if that counts for anything in this competition. Yeah, I get. I mean, MLS year to year and many would argue by design and rightfully so. The teams change as to who the good teams are, who the bad teams are. And again, that's that's part of how MLS is structured here. But you know, credit to, you know, someone like Chicago Fire here under Greg Berhalter and what they have done right now. Keep in mind that this was 18 teams from both leagues and the top four teams go through it. So no matter what, you were going to have four MLS teams and four League of Mx teams. I can see Chicago going through against Monterey. Columbus crew, Club America, that, you know, that's going to be tricky. See, Joseph Martinez over there in Columbus crew. Yeah, I don't think it's going to be easy, but I don't think it's. Yeah, I'm still okay and believe that at least in a couple of cases here, MLS clubs are going to come good. And based on the bracket I'm looking at on the website. Hopefully it jives with whatever graphics we throw up on the screen. It's the Austin Taluca winner would face Leon RSL winner in the semis. And then Chicago Monterey, America Columbus are on the other side of the bracket. So that's how it looks to me. All right. So we went to some actual MLS play. So in term, Amy, we know one that leaks cup in 23 and we're runners up to Seattle. 25 this past weekend, they got thumped by Nashville and MLS. Nashville, your supporters shield leaders. They won four, one muctar got to surge and the hard got the others. And this is an intern Miami team with messy Suarez, Casamiro, the Paul and company. So quite the result for Nashville. Yeah, Nashville is flying right now. And they were the better team, even with messy, not just playing, but, you know, missing the penalty hitting the post a couple of times. I'm not worried about Miami. I'm actually much more interested in what, what Nashville is doing here and the way that they ultimately came out. Also, in Miami's got to get their goalkeeping. We talked a little about goalkeeping earlier on and how important is Miami's got to get their goalkeeping situation sorted out. It's, it's one of some concerning issues over here, but I'm, I'm still okay with Miami. I just think Nashville at this moment is, is a better team. By the way, one interesting messy subplot. Last week, we talked about this PSG won the UEFA Super Cup, beating Aston Villa 21 for Marquinhos. That was his 40th trophy with PSG, which is the most any player has ever won at a single club. And the 43rd trophy of his career club in country, move them past Danny Alves for most by Brazilian. And he's second all time behind messy. Now, it's a bit of a moving target because John Strong and I have had fun with us over the years, like trying to pin down the messy number because like some of the messy propaganda machine, they like to count stuff like MLS Eastern conference title and things like that. So you see different numbers out there from messy. It's anywhere from like 45 to 48, depending on if you count this or into that one, but nevertheless, Marquinhos is at 43. So we'll see how many more messy wins in his career of Marquinhos keeps winning trophies at PSG. And whether Marquinhos can overtake him as the most decorated player in soccer history, the Arsenal players have already won a trophy. Community shield counts, yeah. Counts is what? Like, what are we counting? I know people will argue, well, it's because of what you did before. And therefore that's the final of this, this tournament. I just, I agree. Now it's one off things where it's kind of it is a trophy because you won one game. Yeah, another point of the day with messy as you wafer created this game. The Fina Lissima between the winners of the euros and the winner of the Copa America. We didn't have it because they were supposed to be in Qatar or the war in Spain and Argentina couldn't agree on a different location. But there was a previous edition of Argentina beat Italy. So does that count in your mind as a trophy? I'm okay with that counting. But yeah, just give a trophy at the end of every game. And then buyer unit can have 35 trophies a year. I'm sorry, messy fans, MLS Eastern Conference is where I draw the line. So, but yeah, so Mark, Mark King is depending on which number you go by, is either like two behind or three behind. And we'll see kind of with each of them where they are in their careers. And how many years they have left and the clubs are at. So it's just something to keep an eye on. But I get a national one the trophy that night. Whatever trophy it is. Well, but I mentioned there the supporter shield leaders. That counts as a trophy for you. Yes, yes, yes. So Inter Miami, they won the supporter shield with messy. I got no problem with this. This is a worship. Staying in the MLS Atlanta beat the Red Bulls to one Atlanta, making big transfer news with Berlin below. And they get a nice result here. The Red Bulls goal in Milforsburg, beautiful, assessed by Adria Mehmeti, 17 year old midfielder, who everybody's high on. Yeah, I mean, we've talked, well, since the beginning of the year with Michael Bradley and company with their red at Red Bull and Medi and how good he is. This assist that he had was, was just wonderful in terms of first off seeing it, but then having the technical ability to thread the needle in that moment. It just continues to impress. So that's, you know, that's fun. That's a, that's a fun thing to see. Ultimately, Atlanta is a desperate team. They're bad. And they have been bad this season. They're desperate for points. They get their three points here. I think the bigger news from an Atlanta perspective is signing. Briel and Bolo for $18 million. And that puts that, you know, that signing up at the five time, most expensive signings. So, you know, Arthur Blank, even when his teams aren't doing well, you can't be said that he has not giving them the opportunity to go out there and do things to become, to become better. We'll see if it, if it changes things, but my, how the fortunes over there Atlanta have changed. Remember when they first burst on the scene and what they were and the crowds that they were getting and not just the crowds, but the way that they were playing and the style and Atlanta right now is for a lot of people. The epicenter of soccer with everything that's going on off the field. And certainly with the US soccer and everything that's going on there. But this Atlanta team has failed to impress now for a number of years in row. And here it is again, but at least they're doing something about it as opposed to just sitting around and saying, well, that's just the way it is. Junior Alonso started at the back for Atlanta and this game. Remember he's the fellow who lamented that in MLS. You don't have your car burned after a bad defeat. Well, he's, if they suck this year and he is part of that suckage, then he is going to have to go someplace else. They're going to make some changes. Uh, Brulem Bolo, what do you think about the signing? You think how do you think how do you think he does, though? Um, yeah, he's joining a bad team, but, but I like him as a player. I think it's a very good signing. Do you think in general, seeing this debate on X, um, you know, Greaseman arrived, Lewandowski, Casemiro and Bolo now. Do you think MLS adequately capitalized on the World Cup? Did you expect more or less or is it about what you expected? I probably expected more. But then when you think about some of the signings, yeah, I, I think I still expected more and maybe again, this comes down to a messaging situation or, you know, MLS saying this is what we're doing. And then going out there and doing that as opposed to kind of peace kneeling and, and it's just trickling out now. The one thing we're still waiting to see is a prominent US international. There was this thought that one of these like Western McKinney, Geo Arena type might actually, in their primes, choose to come back to MLS. I know there's a type of US friend that's mortified by that thought. But, and, and they're happy because it hasn't happened yet, you know? Yeah. I mean, and the Casemiro's and the Levantoscis, we've seen that. We've seen that for the last 30 years. So while the sexiness comes from a history of, of really, really good play from these players, you know, pardon me if we're not that excited and impressed. And I'm sure that the offices in New York are listening to this right now. They're like, well, what more do you want? What do you want us to do? Well, I guess I want more. And I don't, you know, necessarily know what it looks like. But I, I know it when I, when I see it and the underwhelming feeling that many have with MLS and what the way that they have or haven't used this summer, I think it's fair and legitimate, even with some of these signings. But, Brielin Bolo, well done. I'll see if he can make this Atlanta team, gosh, even competitive at this point. On the other side, by the way, before we get to this next game, speaking of poor teams, Seattle, and teams that once were great, Seattle's horrible, too. And Schmetzer over there, the only thing that's actually even of any interest now is when he gives his post game press conferences and moments. And basically just lays out how bad they actually are. One more MLS game, NYCFC stuff for the three to home defeat to Philadelphia. By the way, yesterday when I was driving to the airport, JFK to fly back to LA, I drove past where the new NYCFC stadium is going to be there near City Field and the US Open tennis and all that. It's a pretty neat area. So that's going to be like a cool place to have an MLS stadium. But before real quick, worst airport to drive to or get in and out of JFK. JFK, yeah, it's horrible. Horrible. As far as the game, Kevin Sullivan, who assists, he continues to impress. We might need to have a conversation about Sean Sullivan and Matt Freese. Well, he loves picking on Matt Freese again, put in here. Matt Freese, conceding three goals, you know, he loves to highlight his shot. I'm saved the ball. Right. I mean, they're up to nothing. And then they let Philadelphia come back in. And so, you know, the story continues to be Kevin Sullivan, 16 years old. When he's 18, he will be going off to Man City. It means to be seen whether he stays with Man City or they loan him out like they do a lot of their young stars. But he is getting better and better and being more impactful each and every game that we see and not for nothing. But Matt Freese, our starting goalkeeper this summer, is in goal. And they're up to nothing and they let and he lets three goals in. They let three goals. I don't know, blaming blaming all on him. But I think it's it's fair to look at Matt Freese is what he is right now, especially in the context of, you know, a less than impressive summer when it came to the the World Cup. That is it. All right, let's take a quick break. Our first break when we come back. Yeah, we got some ask Alexa. OK, welcome back. It's time for Ask Alexi, that part of the show where you send in your comments, questions and concerns. And keep in mind that our handle out there on all the old social media platforms is SOTU with Alexi. You can use that hashtag Ask Alexi on social media or you can call into our state of the union podcast hotline 657-549-2297. That is 657-549-2297. What do the folks want to know today? We have two questions on X that are related. So I'm going to read them both. First up, James Handel says, when does Puchatino need to call up Julian Hall, Gozo Mehmeti Sullivan and other youngsters too soon or not soon enough? And then Sean Forte asked, how would you handle the roster management in the summer of 2028 with Olympics allowing a few overage players? How do we balance that with potential Copa America? I find this question so interesting. I'm going to bring this up to you. So I'm glad we put this question in there because yeah, the first half of this cycle, the US as we talked about, they have all these talented young players who are probably good enough to play for the senior team already. And the sooner you bleed them in there, probably increases their chances of being impact players at the 2030 World Cup. But you also have a U20 World Cup. Next, sure, you have the Olympics in 28. And if you send your strongest possible squad to those competitions, you might potentially even win them or go far and think of what it would mean to metal at the Olympics on home soil in the summer of 28. So how you're going to manage those situations and then as Sean brought up with the Olympics, you even have the chance to send some overage players. Would you weaken your Copa America squad and send a couple of the established nucleus guys to the Olympics and said, how the US handles that the next couple years is going to be fascinating. Well, I think, and thank you, James and Sean for both of these questions. I think what this comes down to, I mentioned messaging in last segment. This is going to come down to what the messaging is from US soccer, but more importantly from racial pochotino. We are coming into this fall, obviously, after the World Cup. Well, that went great and some of it didn't go great. We're continuing on with pochotino. And I think it's important for him as we get into this fall with the new windows coming and with nation's league and obviously leading up to the summer tournaments that we have. And you mentioned the Olympics in the Copa America. He needs to kind of lay it out publicly as to what his philosophy is going forward. If we come in this fall, Massey, and he doesn't clean house, but shows up with a whole new group of players and wants to blood them. And they get their ass kicked. It doesn't work. Okay. Is that a acceptable look for pochotino or for this US soccer federation that has continued on with him. I don't know. And therefore, what he says before is important. If he comes in and says, listen, I am asking you, he almost has to request of the fan base to say, I might lose the battle, but ultimately win the war. And you're going to have to give me some grace here as we go forward in that I am going to blood some young players in order to when we get the most to the most important point, I give us the best possible chance of success. I don't know if that's going to work, but if I was him, and I wanted to do that, I would frame it like like that, or he's going to split the baby and he's going to, you know, mix and match, which is probably much more sensible and probably where he was going to go. Anyway, that is a long way of saying, ultimately, I think we have to find out what pochotino's plan is for the next few months, but also for the next couple of years as we get into this Olympic run. As I've said before, I don't want to throw the baby out with the basket with the with the bathwater. But I think people are desperate for some change here when it comes to this, this team, and I think it's, it's completely valid for him to make, to make changes. So do you call in hall and goes in the medi and Sullivan, all of them into this, this upcoming window and you announce with authority, this is what we are doing, we are going in a new direction, we are giving these guys opportunities. I don't think anybody would be pissed off, but I say that and results, ultimately, most of you, as you know, they dictate everything. And so again, if that group were to get their ass kicked, you're asking people to buy tickets, spend a lot of money at different times, you're asking people to show up and to support this team, and you're coming off of a summer where there were wonderful, wonderful moments that you kind of want to tap into and repeat this fall. So I don't know, I don't that's a long way of saying, I don't know what Puchotino wants to do. What I would do is, yeah, bring them all in. I think that's, I think that's enough. And I think it sends a message to these players to the public and to other players that maybe aren't, aren't brought in when it comes to the Olympics, we've talked about this. I would love nothing more than our full national team. In this case, it's Puchotino to also be coaching the Olympic team. I know that throws up some problems and some overlap here there, especially when it comes to Copa America and these types of things, but I think the Olympics has been untapped for a number of cycles. Again, it goes back to the message. If you sent the message that we are going to, we are going to put all of our eggs into the Olympic basket in order so that when that next World Cup comes about, we have given players the experience experience in competition, the experience in qualifying so that the next qualifying goes well for the World Cup and ultimately the World Cup. Let's start with the summer of 27. We know much to your chagrin, gold cups of late have not been tournaments where the US sent its strongest team, the quote unquote, 18. Let's say that's going to be the case again in 27. If it was between sending kind of second tier established guys or just saying in the absence of the top guys, I'm just going to go young and have a team full of Gozo's and Mamedis and Kevin Sullivan's, let's say that team is just to an experience to win it. So Mexico wins the gold cup again, but they're fun to watch and these guys look promising like, would you take positives out of that? Would you rather that? Or would you rather send kind of a bullish team, but that's older experience guys that might be able to grind out a gold cup title like we've seen the US do with B teams, you know, I could take positives out of that, but I'm not as naive or as snobby as to expect others to do that. And I want to say other people, you're going to sell tickets to this, right? I mean, this is ultimately a revenue generation for US soccer and for a conca cap and all that. Well, and I've told you this before, if, if by your actions, you show that you're not taking it as seriously as, as a different tournament, then why should I as a fan care? Why should I buy tickets? Why should I watch? And so that's that that's hard. I mean, look, we're going to we're going to televised it. I want to make sure that when I'm talking about this team that I'm saying, hey, this is worth your time. This is worth your time to come watch these players. And then if we have to give it context than we are, but that's a sell that is a sell to an American public that we saw this summer, they want to win. And it's I, I mean, that is that is difficult. I understand. And that's why pochotino is so important and why I wish she had a better command of the English language, because I think he could really make his case. And so he's got to surround himself with others that can help him make his case so that we understand exactly what's happening to your point. If that were to happen and we come on air, we got to make it abundantly clear to everyone. Listen, what you are seeing are the future stars. And you know what? They're going to screw up. They might not win every single game. They might have problems. But if you can see the value in that, and you can see what is being created, then maybe that's exciting to you. It's not the easiest sell to be quite. Yeah. And then 28 is so interesting. Bear in mind, European clubs are not obligated to release players for the Olympics. So that can dictate a lot of times, which players go or not to that tournament. It's not even up to you to decide. But yeah, in a hypothetical world where everybody was available, how you manage that summer with the Copa American Olympics, because the Olympics is on home soil, I do think it would be something really special. If the US were to win an Olympic medal on home soil, honestly, to the American public, that might even resonate more than a successful Copa America to this date. People sometimes are more impressed that I played in the Olympics than in a than a World Cup. But this is where the United States soccer federation and the men and women that are in charge. And again, we don't know the hierarchy. Now what now that Matt Crocker left this summer. This is where you are fundamentally going about your job and getting things done and establishing the relationships so that you can access that. And you can say, look, we are putting a priority on the Olympics. You need to be able to work with us. And and establish those relationships that get you what you're need is it is a negotiation. And you got to be able to do the things to get those players released. If it is in fact a priority. That is it. Okay, wonderful. That's a couple of interesting questions there. And actually one one last point. I meant to say this and I just drew a blank just now. A lot of these young players. They're technically eligible for other countries. So I've even heard that be a part of the conversation that, you know, as in terms of dual national recruitment and cap time players that that needs to be in the back of Pochitino's head as far as when he's going to start calling these players up as well. So that's another element of this conversation. We love you. We want you and all that kind of and we we've talked for years now about how part of a head coach's job. In this case, Mauricio Pochitino is the recruiting process and making it appealing and selling the program. In this case, I guess selling the country kind of rubs me the wrong way to say that, but it's what you're doing. Anything else? That is another quick break when we come back. Oh, yeah, it's the end of our show and I give you my one through the road. Okay, welcome back. It's the end of our show and at the end of each and every show I give you my one for the road. I was, I was scrolling through the comments because I figured out how to find the comments over there on the old Instagram machine. It's very difficult. It's not the, at least for me, it's, it's a difficult interface. I guess they would call it. And so I was looking through some different comments and the clip that we had last week where we were talking about promotion relegation and I was talking about how intra league promotion relegation is viewed by a lot of the zealots out there as kind of a bastardized version of the game. I have no problem with promotion relegation. I don't think it should be mandate anyone on anyone. And you know, you've heard this. It's kind of evergreen stuff that I've talked about plenty of people responding to this because it is kind of catnip to American soccer out there when it comes to promotion relegation and talking about that that response from Andy underscore for country over there on Instagram. And he said, is this what Alexis, I think you meant Alexi, no, because he repeats it there. So he's just using Alexis, which is fine. Is this what Alexis really believes or is what Alex, is this what Alexis, the media personality believes who knows. Interesting. I guess your name is Andy. Interesting comment there. Andy, one of the questions, Mossy that I get and have gotten over the years. Most is do you believe everything that you say. And I can honestly tell you, and I think I've talked a little bit about this before that the answer is absolutely 100% yes. I've talked before about that doesn't mean that I can't put myself in other people's shoes and I can't in the tradition of debate. Take different sides and argue argue different sides. But when it comes to certainly this particular subject of promotion relegation, which, as I said, is is an evergreen subject. Yes, this is something that I absolutely believe in in that if you want to have promotion relegation, nobody is stopping you right now. And I don't say that just to be antagonistic. I don't say that just to, in this case, in the world that we live in, have clicks or people scream and yell or people to respond. It's honestly, and you know, going as far back as decades ago, if you had met me, I don't know in a bar or someplace else and we had just a one on one conversation about this, this is exactly what I would say. Now, I am, I am not naive and I like to think that I'm honest in the fact that I am in the entertainment industry and the way that I say something and the words that I choose and my gesticulation all goes into the calculation as to what that performance is going to be. And I think anybody in our industry that talks about anything, in this case, it's about soccer and certainly does it in both audio and visual form recognizes that the presentation that there is a performative aspect to it. And I don't, you know, I completely understand and agree and I like to think that I'm honest about that because it's important because you can say two things in two very, very different ways and the impact can be very, very different by the way that you say even the same line or if you choose to change a line or you choose to add a word here or there or the timber of your voice. Or the volume of your voice or like I said, the gesticulations that you that you have all of this is part of the performance and I know that at times people when you say that it's a performance, sometimes people cringe at that and worry about that, but it doesn't mean that it's not authentic, it doesn't mean that it's not honest and it doesn't mean that it's not what I believe, especially when it comes to something like this, so Andy to answer your question after all of that, yes, of course I believe this and I believe this as a person, whether I'm sitting in a bar next to you or where I'm sitting here with lights and cameras and doing it on television because I want you to get an honest reaction from me. And it might not be a reaction that you agree with might not even at times begin a reaction that you like, but this is the job and this is this is what we do also might not be the same type of reaction exactly that you get when there are no lights or when there are no cameras, but the gist and the truthfulness doesn't change, but thank you for commenting over there on the old IG machine. Mossy, before we get to what are you watching, I'm going to deviate a little bit from the script here, all right. Mossy, I've told you and I started off talking about how we are entering ninth year and I along with thousands and thousands of people out there love you so much for everything that you do. You have fans that you know about and many fans that you don't one of the fans that you know about because I've told you about it time and time again is my mother, my mother living over there in DC she listens and watches every single show that we do she is fascinated as so many people are about what David Mossy is what makes him tick his background what he's thinking about different things she takes your. opinion on whether it's books or movies or anything else out there that's a long way of saying that she she loves you like a lot of different people do and so my mom called me up. I don't know a couple months ago and she said listen I have this this thing and I don't know what to do with it, but I think that our friend David Mossy would really appreciate this and so I would like to. To send it to you and have you give it to David so mossy we're going to take a quick break here and we're going to come back and I am going to give you so this is an added break here okay we're going to come back and i'm going to present to you a gift from my mother to you. Alright we're back here mossy I have put the gift here in front of you I asked that you take it off gently it's a I'm the one that did this wrapping with with the hefty bag here, but I take it off slowly slowly slowly slowly okay so this is a limited edition of the Titanic. And it is set in my mother's apartment for a number of years, but she knows the Titanic. Fan that you are obviously from listening and watching over the years it is incredibly detailed like I said a limited edition it actually also over there on the left hand side has a little compartment that contains a small piece of coal. That was in the cargo of the Titanic and so one of the things that many people are curious about is what is mossy do at home, what is this home even look like well just know that at least in this particular instance this is going to be in mossy's bachelor pad over there hopefully in a prominent type of position but my mom wanted to wanted you to have this because like I said she she loves you she knows that. Maybe nobody else out there more than you would appreciate this this is phenomenal I cannot thank you enough I cannot thank your mother enough as you said I'm a huge Titanic buff Titanic hit the iceberg April 14 1912 and then sank in the early morning hours of April 15 1912. 1114 years later I still haven't gotten over it but yeah I gobble up every documentary about it and and actually this leads into my what are we watching perfectly because I went to see a Broadway show with my parents called Titanic which is this French show kind of poking fun at the movie Titanic and it was it was great it was very funny so yeah this is a great gift I can't wait to this is going to. Definitely find a spot in my living room so yeah i'm going to send your mother as soon as we're done taping a profound thank you awesome now it's it's very delicate so you just be careful leaving the studio and i'm sure we'll find a place for you in your house alright alright so you you were going to review the Titanic and whatever it's okay to thumbs up I mean yeah one one last thing food wise I had mentioned I went to Peter Luger and loved it we stuck in another great place we went to Manetta tavern. Greenwich Village it's his famous famous spot and and they're especially famous for their burger the black label burger Anthony Bourdain once called it the perfect burger and I had it I can attest it as phenomenal if we ever take the crew to New York for a show i'm going to take put a manetta tavern I need to get him off this apple pan kick that means this is like what a burger supposed to taste like. Manetta tavern in New York City I only have one thing the hawk. Starring Will Ferrell and money Molly Shannon over there it's ten episodes you mentioned that you wanted more episodes of the merino doc this is one of those situations we talked about where it should never have been 10 10 episodes it's kind of 10 cup meets happy Gilmore out there if not for will Ferrell it would be a complete another disaster way way too long but some some funny scenes. And will Ferrell makes it but again 10 episodes is just absolutely ridiculous out there on the old. Netflix. Platform out there alright Massey enjoy your your Titanic that's great I will let my mom know that it got here in one piece and I have delivered it and now it's up to you to figure it out. Keep downloading keep reviewing keep subscribing keep rating keep doing all the different things that you do out there we love you so much whether you just came in this summer or you've been. Here low these nine years with us it's just wonderful keep smashing that button up and down left and right double fist and when it comes to the old. Subscribe button out there on on YouTube or Apple or Spotify or all the different places out there we'll talk to you again later on this week and until then and it's always my friends size the day.