The Tarmac Fallacy & The Ballon d'Or Crucible: Inside Alexi Lalas' State of the Union

Hello, sunshine. I'm Alexi Lawson. Well, to the state of the Union show, this is where we look at the beautiful game I don't know if the field to the lens of red, white, and blue colored glasses. All right, let's see this live show another live show We'll be talking below no or let's see what else that champions league I'll in strikes when all this new gig OJ's back three games to watch as an American this weekend the best and the worst of American soccer and So much more so my friends. Let's light this candle But first joining as always my friend my colleague my guiding light David Mossie a soccer savant and Fox soccer researcher and writer Extra and I must see how you doing on this what are we looking at here when's day September 9th in the year 2026 I'm doing well. Hopefully people can hear me today. I know we had some audio issues on Monday. I'm told that they've been resolved We'll see did we because I listened to the show after and you sounded you sounded great So maybe it was you know different thing. Look, this is as we've said for the last eight years a work in progress And we zig and we zag and we've been doing some live shows here And the men and women behind the scenes that make us look actually presentable are doing a great job And we got up. You know, we got a tinker as we go as we go along But hopefully you can see us hopefully you can hear us if this is your first time and welcome to the state of the union And and if you've just been a long time Listener watcher of the state of the union. We really appreciate that as we said we've been doing this for many many years How we doing are you doing it? It was like a hundred degrees here in Los Angeles We have been sucked in now for it seems like months when it comes to how hot it is here I just wish it would break. I'm getting on a plane tonight. By the way, I'm going to go to the the east coast for a little College shirt trip. I'm not going to college, but you know my son hopefully We'll be going to college. So we're going to go check out some colleges here. Are you okay saying which colleges? No, you know, I won't I won't do that. I mean we are going to see the colleges him getting into the colleges as a whole as a whole Another thing, but you know these are champagne problems. All right, that it's it's wonderful We're going to go check it out and hopefully narrow down what's what's going on. So these he's a he's a very good student It's very possibly is adopted But we're going to have a we're going to have a good time my friend. Should we like to scandal? Let's do it Where shall we start on Tuesday the nominees for the ball on door We're next on both the men's and women's side the winners will be revealed October 26 in London. We'll start with the men In a World Cup year the World Cup carries a lot of weight So there are lots of Spanish players Rodri Laminia Mau Cucureia Cubarcy Fabian Ruiz Ferran Torres although no Pedri or or Yarthaba Which was surprising the Champions League also carries a lot of weight So lots of PSG players Usman and Bayley who won it last year Varadzcalia Vichina drone Nevis Hakimi Nuno Mendes Marquinhos Pacho Fabian Ruiz Why just put in the Spain pile No Americans on the list one Mexican Julián Kenyones 27 of the 30 play in Europe the exceptions Kenyones and Sadri Amane who play in Saudi Arabia And Leonardo Messi who of course plays in MLS Messi won MLS Cup. He was the MLS MVP and had eight goals for assists in the World Cup to help Argentina reach the final And yet his inclusion is causing some controversy. How about this message on X from Adog Bautizan Why is Messi on here? I'm a big MLS fan But no way none of our players should be on here. Let's say you whoo interesting interesting Well, look Inevitably when we do this every single year there are players that are on and off I mean, it is a subjective list the people that vote they're going to Take into account and and since there's no well there's criteria But it really is much more subjective and in particular as it relates to club Versus country and some players have an advantage or a disadvantage. We'll talk a little bit a little bit more about that Specifically as it relates to messy the interesting thing here Especially when we do the inevitable juxtaposition between him and Cristiano Ronaldo is that I think messy benefits from Playing in MLS in this instance relative to Cristiano Ronaldo There's still plenty of people that downgrade it but you know again From a national from an international perspective and what he has done with Argentina And obviously what he has done with with Inter Miami the goals that he has scored Obviously winning winning MLS Cup and then not single handedly, but let's be honest I mean he was a huge part of kind of carrying this Argentina team yet again to a final didn't work out But still it was it was incredible and if you didn't know During this past world cup that messy was the age that he is or that he was playing in MLS You you would you would have absolutely no problem saying there goes one of the great players in the In the country in the in the world So I have no problem with messy being here. I know I'm a little bias when it comes to majorly soccer But doing it in Saudi Arabia I think in general in the way that people view it and doing it in MLS now I mean, this is actually rarefied air for MLS where the credibility of MLS I think has gotten to to a point for some not for all Where there is a justification For him not even and and I know it's messy and that supersedes that supersedes anything here But this is designed to have us argue this is designed to have people agree and and disagree and they're plenty of them as you said you've already mentioned some that you think should be on here again Zero the U.S. has never had a A player here about Mexico has had six. I don't know if as Canada ever have one did a fun so ever They've never been involved anyway You know the reality is that you can't go wrong with any of these players and I don't think that there's a team in the world That wouldn't take any of these players Including Although Messi was left off in 24 and 25. He gets back in in 26 Ronaldo four straight years. He's been left out of this list. Keep in mind though more Saudi Arabia based players on MLS As I said two to one because you have Kinyones and Mane Mane Kind of sort of one Afcon that's still held up in litigation But it is an interesting year. There's no clear cut favorite Killian and Bob Bay was the top score in La Liga the champions league and the world cup He got 10 in the world cup the most anyone has scored since Gurdmuller in 1970 But he didn't win any of those competitions. Jose Mudding is arguing that shouldn't matter to an individual award It shouldn't come down to team success. Luis Enrique thinks no team success does matter He wants a PSG player to win it again La Minyamao did win the world cup But he didn't play well I love La Minyamao but some people are trying to rewrite history there in a tournament dominated by stars He was the only one that really didn't join the party He was not a big factor in Spain winning. You have something to say about that I just want your take when you are assessing this and look You know the quote-unquote experts have are going to vote on this But the reality is all that anybody really cares about Is what David Mossy is going to say so when you are assessing this and when you are balancing the two How much Do you put into the international side of it and how much do you put into the club side of it and For some players that Through no fault of their own just where they're born aren't even going to have the ability when it comes to assessing the international part of the company That would be the Vada Skelia argument great for PSG won the Champions League And then because you placed for Georgia didn't even take part in the world cup should that be held against them I was discussing that with Judy Boyd right before we started taping It's the talk of the fifth floor up here Erlin Holland dealt with that for many years He got to play in a World Cup this summer and was phenomenal So that kind of boosts his candidacy So yet it is interesting weighing club and country. It's it's interesting weighing individual numbers versus team success As I said lamine it's weird that a World Cup that you one could hurt your candidacy But I actually think the World Cup harms him because he didn't play that well Roger is the opposite played great at the World Cup But mediocre season with man city coming back from the ACL injury So and I gave it to Rodriguez a couple of years ago I don't think they would give it to him again So do you know the player? Well It's mediocre with the caveat that he's coming back from well I'll talk about that in a second I mean Are there any just mind-blowing omissions or inclusions here when you look at these with these names? Well as I as I mentioned because there are so many Spain players on their pedri and oryata about being left out Is a bit of a head scratcher for me But I do have a player that I think should win it that I've landed on you know like I said There's no clear cut favorite so it's not like I'm going to bang the desk and say it has to be this guy It's debatable But I would give it to Harry Kane okay I thought he was the best player in the world over the 25-26 campaign scored 61 goals and all competitions for Bayern including 14 in the Champions League and that doesn't even do him justice because he function as Bayern's Playmaker for a lot of the season dropping back into the midfield pinging passes all over the place So And he won a league in cup double with Bayern They reached the semis of the chambers to the extent that there was a favorite going into the world cup I think it was him and then he scored six goals helping him finish third their best finish in 60 years So I think he checks all the boxes. I would give it to Harry Kane But yeah, you know that you have Olese too everything he did with Bayern and France seven assists at the World Cup Howl and I mentioned so yeah so many good contenders It's a fascinating here You know, we think of it in terms of the Heisman trophy Imagine if there was a year where you could make a case for each of the four finalists you rarely have that We kind of have that with the ballon door this year. It's kind of that scenario are you like a lot of not just voters but in general fans kind of mesmerized And therefore sent in a particular direction when it comes to attacking players and goal scorers I know we talked about Roderian You know how kind of that was an aberration and and not something that we see a whole lot Yeah, there is a bias there and I'm guilty of that too every now and then we deviate from it Roderian wanted a couple years ago, you know, Vichina as a player everything he's done for PSG Although I wish Portugal had a better World Cup that would strengthen his case But so if you were going to go that route he might be the player to win You know, I am happy this year There's always this like hipster candidate who wins the Champions League and the World Cup And some people argue I guess it would be Fabian Ruiz if you were going that route And it's usually a player who if his teams had one such and such it wouldn't even be in the conversation We don't really have that this year, you know, that hipster candidate It's all stars. We're discussing. I kind of like that. We got we got to come up with one Like I said, it would be Fabian Ruiz Ah All right, what do what do we got now? Well, you're going to give us your top 10 because that's how it works folks A journalist from all over the world fell out of ballot with their top 10 And then they tabulate the points and then we'll find out October 26 By the way, it's usually in Paris this year. It's in London. It's because it's a 7th Anniversary of the Ballon door and the first ever winner was Sir Stanley Matthews and Englishman So to honor that they moved it to London. So you've filled out a ballot. Yeah, okay Well, I'm not my ballot doesn't count Right But for our purposes here. This is this is what I have and this will be interesting I'll be interested to hear what you have to say here I'm going to give you my my top 10 but two outside of the top 10 that I kind of wanted to put in but again To your point, you know the sexiness and and of what they aren't and you didn't tell me you're sex anyway, but um Let's see Diaz from Columbia Fernandez He just I just love what he does for Manchester United. I just I I Want him almost to be at some place better, but I also want to recognize how important he is and you know He doesn't make my top 10, but I even last night when I was putting together I was like Maybe I can find a way in there. All right coming in at number 10 uh Dembele uh and and Dembele for me has always Been a great player And even you know this this this past summer and look everybody would have him on on your on their team I like totally understand that But there is just there's there's something missing and maybe it's because he's kind of unassuming and and and quiet It's not his fault. It's just the the way that it is and you know I don't think that that's this is necessarily a crazy take having him come in at number 10 Uh number coming in at number nine. You mentioned it Um Give out of Scalia Uh You know He suffers from the fact that he plays for Georgia and the international part of it is Well, I know the world cup keeps expanding so who knows maybe he will get he will get that opportunity But the reality is even if they were to go to the world cup They're you know, they're still not going to do some of the things that some of these other players have And he's certainly not going to be surrounded by the talent But I think everybody recognizes Went from a club perspective he has been phenomenal And it's not even it's numbers you watch the game and even if you don't know a whole lot about the game You can immediately pick up this guy knows what he's doing and therefore that that's where his value come uh comes in Belling him obviously at a hell of a summer starred for England and the world cup. So he's going to come in at number eight for me You mentioned earlier lamina mal not having a great summer one goal in the uh in the world cup So he's going to come in at seven for me Well, he say uh Let's see what 20 goals 32 assists seven assists in the world cup or something like make that uh seven He I think is burst on the scene you know in a way that I don't think anybody worries about him being here at number six And I think a lot of people would put him higher I've even seen some people out there having him as high as as number two, but I got him in at number six All right, this is where it gets interesting. It's interesting number five. I have him Bob Bay All right 40 goals with three almadrid 10 goals in the world cup go a golden boot But I have number four. I have erlin holland Okay, and and I could be convinced to maybe flip these two erlin holland 27 premierly goals Also added to his assist count and and obviously start at the world cup now I know and Bob they started the world cup But the way in which erlin holland kind of introduced himself To people that don't know anything about soccer. I know him Bobby did the same thing too I think that that gives him kind of the edge Over him Bob Bay now We talked earlier about messy and I know Raise my hand um bias when it comes to mls and you had that question earlier I think that there is an insecurity When it comes to mls and we have to be able to get over that and this is kind of maybe playing into that Uh with his eight goals for assists in the world cup and mls and mls cup now He's doing it in mls and there's a lot of people that will argue that that is a knock against him I would say that because we are balancing out The club side of it and the international side of it in a lot of instances when we're talking about these players It's relative to certainly a what they are doing with their club, but they are doing it For the most part at clubs where they are at the super club Where they weaken and weak out in their club performances are playing against inferior teams that they are supposed to be And when it comes to attacking players, they are going to get opportunered now there has been a separation in mls But still it is a league that is built on manufactured parity much more so than the other uh teams So I think that that is again in messy's favor here for what he has done internationally But also what he has done with inter my inter Miami in a league That has this this parity that doesn't exist around the world. So he comes in at number three number two I Roger I know you mentioned he didn't He was coming back from injury and I think that works to his Benefit in that he was able to come back from a serious injury Still at number two and this summer not just the winning part of it But I go back to all those people that came into the tent And that maybe didn't know a lot about soccer and sometimes for those people It's hard to assess and to recognize the quality out there from guys that aren't just putting the ball in the back of the net And I think a lot of people even naive or you know inexperienced type of soccer watchers were able to see how important he is And so the world cup the injury and just what he has done And yeah, I guess even though it doesn't count this year what he has done in the past I think that Justifies my number two and then guess what mossy great minds think alike coming in at number one Atty Kane 56 goals in the Bundesliga champions league and world cup he He is he's not unassuming he's he's he's harry came But I just think that The goals that he has scored the consistency in which he has scored the goals the way that he led his team when they needed him And we go back and we've talked about this over the uh over the last last couple of years the way that he has Adjusted and adopted a new way of playing at different times showing that Yeah, you can play about a bunch of different positions. He can drop you can drop deep and in doing so He is the complete player and maybe in this list He is the most complete player in that I would have no problem putting him in at multiple positions Just to give people a peek behind the curtain very often when you do lists on this pod Sean Sullivan will send me it in advance so I can think about my reactions going to be for this when I said don't do that I want to have a spontaneous reaction never realizing that we were going to pick the same player So it's it's a little bit now look we're not the only ones that pick Kane So it's not a crazy out of the uh, you know out of orbit type of pick and as I said the ceremonies in London To honor the fact that sir Stanley Matthews one the first one I don't think that means an Englishman has to win it this year But it just worked out where I think he is actually the correct choice So that's going to be neat if he wins it in London. Oh, I mean look at there again Any team in the world would love to have love to have him and I and I do appreciate it's not Relative to this But I do appreciate also that an Englishman it's happened more so now Got out of his comfort zone if you will and I think that Will be the interesting thing is that might lead him to this promised land of Alone door it's happening more and more often Anthony Gordon off to a great start to life with Barcelona You're starting to see England players branch outside the Premier League. I agree with you I think that's a good thing. I like I like I mean, you know back in the day. It was like they they would never leave and There was a point where They didn't need to leave but there also was a point where they didn't travel well and you know different cultures and languages and all that all that all that kind of stuff But that's that's not I mean when belligan learning span like that's that that's a I think that's a good thing The cosmopolitan aspect of the English player is something that's kind of new and yeah I use the word mediocre to describe Roderay season with man city. That's unfair. Let me amend that It wasn't his best. He was clearly still working his way back from injury But see back in the day we weren't doing live shows you could call in later until Sean Now it's out there for all to see as is the real-time fact checking out there from from people if and when not if when we say something wrong So let us know what you're thinking as we go through this live show Where should we go now? I'm sure reaction is pouring in on your ballon North pixel the monitor is a bit far away So I can't read anything, but well, I'll check it out after the show So we transition to the women 30 players there as well It's an odd year for women soccer because no world cup no Olympics no euros Barcelona did win the Champions League so they're well represented A Spanish player has wanted each of the last five years It's gone poteas poteas bon mati bon mati bon mati bon mati had an injury played campaigns or she's not nominated poteas is She's considered the favorite if she wins it that would make it three and three with her and bon mati Keep in mind the last time a Spanish player didn't win it you have to go back to 2019 Megan Rapino One American player nominated this time around Rose Lavelle I think that this is still When it comes to us players there is still a stench Of the previous of the last world cup that didn't go well and until that's gone And I know we've had Olympics and everything like that, but let's be honest. It really comes down to the The world cup and the expectations and so I don't think that this the women's ballon door is going to reflect The quality that exists until We kind of rectify the situation when it comes to the the women's national team here. So that that it's only Rose Lavelle Fine whatever. I mean There there have been times over the years where People have looked at the women's side of the ballon door and looked at it as Well, it's just an afterthought type of type of situation. I'm not saying that that's the that's the case That's the case now, but there there are there are American players That in a different I guess world cup cycle might be looked at very very differently But you can't argue also with the success of of Spain and obviously the individual players And whether it's men's women's or co-ed naked. There's something in the water over there in Spain Well to go back to the men for one second for coach of the year four of the five nominees are Spanish Luis de la Frente Luis Enrique me color a tenta when I am right only Vincent company crashed the party So we talked about Spain on a coaching level how much they're dominating the world game right now Back to the women lilyohana still get nominated for best young players Some American representation there and I think they're I think that as this new Well, it's not new, but Emma's been around now for a couple of years, but as her plan comes to fruition I think more and more recognition and value is going to be put on this new generation of American players, but again Until they do it at the world cup. It's almost kind of out of sight of mind for out of sight and out of mind for a lot of people Next order of business the league phase of the men's UEFA Champions League is often running got underway this week One of the headliners Rao Madrid claimed a two-one home win over inter strange match I felt like inter was the better team throughout but they gifted Rao Madrid two goals in the first half Valverde and embape and then Inter created a bunch of chances, but only scored once Carlos Augusto. So Rao Madrid prevailed two to one This game Rao Madrid to inter Milan one Is a perfect example of why oftentimes we say well, it's a funny old game You can have all of the ball you can have all of the confidence you can create all of the chances But unless you put the ball on the net in my expert opinion you're going to have problems and If you compound the problem of not putting the ball on the net with giving gifts Which is what happened here, especially to a team like Rao Madrid You're going to find yourself on the losing end when it comes to Joseph Merino, okay This is a game where he as the coach as the special one has everything that he is had absolutely no Influence and gets absolutely no credit for what happened here now. He will because he's he's Merino but It's not as if he went out and said this is what's going to happen. No He recognized well, he didn't recognize he put the players out there on the field Not just players some of the great players in the world and if you give those great players a gift They're going to they're going to make you pay so Rao Madrid had no business winning this game But some of the great teams in the world because they just have talent and they just hang in there Even when they recognize that they're almost outmatched they find a way to get the job done Yeah, in a bonus episode of that documentary. This will be described as a tactical masterclass. Yeah, right Exactly. He knew exactly what he was doing But yeah, I agree with you Rao Madrid is still very much a work in progress. You know, I was thinking about this the last few days This concept that the final score of a game doesn't necessarily reflect who the better team was and who quote-unquote deserve to win is something Very common in soccer. It's something we're very comfortable with We've even created terms to account for that smash and grab against the run of play But in certain American sports people have a hard time understanding that so in the Michigan western Michigan game We talked about There's this notion that Who you think deserved to win that game is intrinsically linked to how you feel about that final second And I watched the whole game for three hours I thought western Michigan was the better team and deserve to win regardless Even if the Michigan Hail Mary had occurred on the play they snap with nine seconds And there was no question about its legality I still would have felt that way and yet there are Michigan fans I've talked to that can't wrap their heads around that what do you mean if two teams play for 60 minutes And at the end one has more points than the other and how is it that that team wasn't better and didn't deserve to win You know what I mean like it's an interesting concept in soccer that doesn't necessarily translate us neatly to Yep, certain Americans are there's a bunch of concepts in soccer that don't translate new But I will say when it comes to to football in football in particular You know the concept of possession right and we have you know possession with purpose on In football possession is a huge huge advantage you have the ball It's the only time that you can actually you know score you're keeping the the you know the defense Off the field you're grinding down the clock you're doing all those different all those different things You know basketball and hockey for that matter There's a constant change over of of possession But you're right. I think soccer specifically Is a game where you can have all of the ball and all of the possession And and still lose and that for a lot of people kind of blows their Sports minds when they're trying to equate it with other things out there and by the way the significance of this match for mohingo He of course managed inter led them to the champions league crown in 2010 They won that final at the Bernabéu in Madrid beating Bayern Munich and then he took over around Madrid after that So yeah, facing his former club. It was kind of neat Around Madrid take all three points somehow and by paying well ready with the goals Manchester City one two nila way to Porto Erlin Holland scored both goals. He's off to a great start this season Buaddi the young Moroccan midfielder started for city. I could watch him play all day. I love it. It's great It's great, you know, even without the hair He scores goals and his ability to contort him for a big guy and many people were Introduced to him this summer, but for a big guy his ability to contort and I mentioned earlier in You know in what been placing him that he's actually added. I think more to the game So he's not just a one trick pony But man that one trick of putting the ball in the back of the net and doing it in different ways But like I said his ability to contort his body and still get not just direction But also Power is just a phenomenal thing to see. So man city off to the races and just to show you that I do pay attention to what you say Holland was number four in your ballon dorm. Well listen. Look at you. There we go Big one for a city at the weekend. They're a way to Manchester United and the Darby Arsenal today one nil away win over Napoli martin otter guard continuing his impressive start to the campaign So you have Hollins going for city otter guard for Arsenal don't know region showing out. There we go What wonderful goal is curling it to the to the far post cutting inside. So Arsenal who we've talked about well for a long time in their futility and their bridesmaid type of position are Are looking like they've They've gotten over the hump still got still got a long way to go and things could certainly happen But there is a there is a swagger and a confidence rightfully so given the talent that they have and what they have done that maybe It's it's a different type of feel and said many times they are the biggest club yet to win the European cup flash Champions League they are to the champions league what the Netherlands is to the world cup They lost the final on penalties to PSG and 26 earlier this year We'll see if this is the season perhaps where they they get their hands on the trophy Liverpool 21 win over at lettico Madrid yorente gave a lettico the lead But then sobos line McAllister turned it around so three points for the reds Johnny Cardoso an unused sub for at lettico. Yes I mean The jury is well, it's still out when it comes to Johnny and lettico and How this is ultimately going to finish by the way McAllister goal was awesome I mean he just smacked that and it you can you can tell when somebody hits it hits it clean in the way that the ball moves and it's almost effortless in terms of the generation and the power below the knee and all that so But yeah, I don't know how long this lasts with With Johnny here, but it's not good. They still in the bench Liverpool face Jedi Robinson in Fulham at the weekend Dortmund with a three-two home win over VRL eventful day for Guidassi He got two goals and scored an own goal Alex Freeman came on as a sub for VRL which US fans were excited about But That's pales in comparison to the Canadian representation in this game three started for VRL Tejambu Canon Salib and Oluo Say Yeah, we I think a couple weeks ago. We were kind of doing the the tally of Americans over in Europe and obviously Americans that were playing in Champions League in Europe and And all that and the you know the general way that it turned out was that Mexico was You know It was problematic for them in terms of the the numbers But this was a you know a Canadian orgy Of talent over there three Canadians starting Alex Freeman And with I had a had a hell of a summer And I think just added to his to his value But at some point that move over to Europe has to translate into him starting and starting consistently And this isn't something new I mean we we go back For decades now is all right The first order of business is to get there And he has done what he needs to do to get there Now you got to actually Prove that you are playing game and in gay out because again this whole concept and we've talked about this for decades about is it Is it beneficial to a player just to be in? You know a country or a culture where soccer is king and therefore the quote-unquote level is higher Are you getting something more out of just simply training and being around it? Why is Moses are you? Is it is it making you better? And I think most of us have come to the the conclusion that That no It's one thing to go to Europe. That's all fine and well But it's another thing to go to Europe and consistently play and get minutes And yes that takes time and you have to earn your Earn your position and still early days when it comes to Alex Freeman But you know at some point regardless if it continues here or any place else We want him from the US We want him to be playing and playing consistently and being a starter more games tomorrow including psv hosting shocked are This is the trade-off when people talk about peppy and desk perhaps outgrowing the dutch league and should they move to a mid-table premier league team but by staying at psv they get to play in the champions league both expected to start tomorrow Yeah Yeah, I mean Grass is always greener and But this goes this also kind of goes back to what I was saying about you know You don't become a better player simply by touching down on the tarmac of you know Charles de Gaulle or or he throw With something like that Just playing in champions league. I know there's a cachet and I get it But there's a lot of games and there's plenty of crap soccer that involves that involves champions league So yeah, I understand and you would agree with me While we while we care and we talk about these games The business end of champions league is really what is ultimately remembered when you know these these big elite teams Come up against each other. Was it lemon Donovan told me once that Dremain Jones used to show up at US camps and if anybody question him he used to say I am a champions league player A champion's league player We had some carbell cup action today involving an American Leeds took on Chelsea crazy game leads led 2-0 early in the second half Brendan Aaronson got one of the goals It was looking good at that point, but then Chelsea exploded for six the final score six three Chelsea The US open tennis is going on right now. This is a tennis score Chelsea won the first set six three Oh, my wife was up till all hours of the night watching Sheldon Alkaraz. Yeah, oh kind of stuff. Yeah Yeah, this was a wild game We were watching it here at the corner of our eye and you know Brendan Aaronson scored a really nice goal He buried it came back to the top of the box right inside the box. He he buried it here But ultimately they're not supposed to beat Chelsea, but you know, it's caribou cup anything can happen most Uh, and then this upcoming weekend in city I we have lotsio hosting AC Milan We expect units moose at a start again. We'll see if Christian Policic plays his first minutes of the campaign I mean, so why why why should I mean, they're not saving him Well, Rubin, I wouldn't keep saying I'm managing him. He's coming off an injury You wonder one is that moment of okay, he's good. Let's put him in All right, well, it's a big excuse and he doesn't want to play him. Okay. Uh, so three games, uh, right here that uh, we should watch I'm sorry that I not frame that correctly. You want to go the three games all in one pop. No, I got it But this is you know Musa is enough for us to tune in But as we said last week with uh, you know, McKenny and and Policic not even being involved. It's it's Still missing something, you know, but Musa's crushing it. Yeah, so you've picked out three yanks abroad matches This upcoming week in the year of your eyes on lotsio Milan was one of them. We're on we're on policy watch Yes, another one in the Bundesliga Augsburg hosting levercusen That could be no akai banks against Malik, Malik Tillman Got a lot of response to our no akai banks uh talk and doggy mack and uh and Whatchitino kind of addressing directly When it comes to to know about no akai banks and there's a lot of people I think out there that are just They're tired of it, you know, they they either fish or cut bait like I said before either you want to play or you don't want to play now I think that that I think that that's fair given the time that's passed. I also think Certainly early on in this back and forth I think he deserved some some grace to make this decision and none of us are in in his shoes But I you know, I do think there's a lot of people out there who are and I mentioned it Romantic about this notion when it comes uh when it comes to banks making a decision as to well You should play for the one that moves you and i i i understand i understand that notion um but There's a possibility that you are moved by multiple teams, especially if you are in the position where you are a duel or even a tri Uh national out there in some of your options that you have there, but either way the reason why The US wants him what reason why germany wants him is because he's young He's very very good And he continues to be good and that's why we'll be watching him against toman who you know still is kind of Coming back from in the good summer but also trying to kind of Establish himself as a consistent starter and then in france Strasbourg will host monaco georane and looking to continue in his good start to the campaign the latest on bologn He's going to miss this match, but he could be back the following game against loans So you do think that this that the bologn thing was blown up because When it came when it comes to the when it came to the physical Because he wasn't Game ready and therefore they were like well we we should take some money off because we know he's not going to be ready to play for a couple games three games If that's the case very strange on everton's part A couple of games shouldn't affect the fee for a player right I mean this wasn't just like a short term solved Maybe they thought it was a more serious injury and then they went back and forth with the monaco and and monaco presented some doctors That said no and I don't know what went on well I mean if we find out that bologn if he if he consistently is not playing here and it is worse than Yeah, then then I think it can be understandable But either way with what geo is doing we've talked so much about him How comfortable he looks and how I think people should be Excited and I guess happy for a player of his talent consistently playing consistently contributing and we'll want to see if by it can continue to He can continue to do so especially against a good team like monaco in terms of MLS a bit tricky for us this week We're taping on Wednesday afternoon. There's a full slate of games tonight a reminder this Pod is eventually going to move to Thursday's the second show of the week, but we're not there yet So we can't say much about tonight's games because by the time you hear this episode Those were already been played But I do want to mention we talked about messy at the top of the pod getting nominated for the ballon door Big next few days for inter Miami tonight bear away to Chicago and then at the weekend they host Nashville Love and dosky and and messy Hmm, that'll be uh Well, that'll be interesting. Yeah, I mean, there's what do we got here one two three four five six seven I mean, there's a huge slate of games that are about to Go on. So that'll that when we go to Thursday this this will work out. They don't MLS doesn't do this all All the time here, but yeah, I am so that's one. I'm into That'll probably turn on here when we're done and let's see here. What else? Oh the the Atlanta see if they can continue on their playing at home against or land oh city and Here in Los Angeles LAFC against the Red Bulls there. So all right, so there's some games and let's be honest Every Philadelphia game right now is must watch especially since your interview with Kevin Sullivan continues to reverberate I saw Rebecca Lowe texting him about it today Tony Miola reference that can I just say something I don't want to make sure that and if you haven't listened to the cabin Sullivan interview Please go check it out because I thought he was I thought he was really really good He's still a kid, but there is a maturity and a A swagger that I think is endearing and I think is is necessary and I think America is craving for that type of thing You know, I think Doug pointed out that indirectly he believed that Puchotino was referencing Kevin Sullivan and his comments about believing That he could help or could have helped the US team this summer and I'm not sure that's that's the case I mean it might have been he does he doesn't need I'm talking about Puchotino here I guess he's sending messages, but he doesn't really need to send messages in that if I was Kevin Sullivan I wouldn't worry That Puchotino is concerned or let alone angry about him saying that In knowing Puchotino, I think he just kind of wanted to blanket this to say hey You have all this young group of players you haven't done anything yet But I think it's not secretly I believe that Puchotino likes the swagger I think he Puchotino recognizes that this new crop of talent that just watched this US men's national team play this summer Is something that he can build on And you know, hopefully Puchotino is going to be here through this next cycle to have success in that next cycle And I think Puchotino is smart enough to know that dampening or You know completely Putting out that type of fire and that type of swagger I think that that can be that can be that can be dangerous. So I mean Because I know someone was you know Tony I think Tony Miole at one point was talking about How he believed that Puchotino was you know referencing Kevin Sullivan and You know, you're gonna have press and you're gonna have different people and you're gonna do interviews And it's gonna be taken in context and add a context and all that it just kind of that it kind of comes with the territory All of that is to say is Kevin because I know he listens and watches Keep doing what you're doing my friend. Keep doing what you're doing on the field and keep being that personality On the field and off the field for that matter Tony Miole even drew a comparison to Eric when old and the swagger he had early in his career I know when all there will be the subject of your one for the road today. That's a different type of swag Yes, that takes us to ask Alex For those that are new to the show ask Alexi the uh point of the show where we take all your questions and your comments and your concerns And you can get in touch with us in a multiple Different ways including By using uh our handle out there on all the old social media platforms, which is SOTU with Alexi You can use that hashtag ask Alexi out there or you can call into our state of the union podcast hotline Which is six five seven five four nine two two nine seven six five seven five four nine two two nine seven Mossy before we do that We've told people that this is a live show and you know, so different points people are you know coming in and giving us uh Comments no that this let's see over here Senegal tube 10 over here Alexi big fan used to watch you on Thursday nights with Rob Johnson under the lights in the 90s at Rutgers Ghost Scarlet nights all right. I'm wearing my high school shirt here, but last show is wearing my uh my Rutgers Especially after that embarrassment against the minimum over the weekend But yes, Rob Johnson was famous not just for being a really good soccer player But he had the flip throw and would you know do the whole long throw with with the the flip and just launch this thing into Into orbit that was fun. That was fun back in the uh well late 80s and early 90s out there in Piscataway, New Jersey exit nine off the turnpike, which is new brunswick, but that's the field was out there So he keeps sending on in you might get read right here on the state of the union Did anybody comment on you using the word orgy? No, not yet, but I'm sure somebody well. Uh, what do we got mossy tell you if you use misha guys I'm leaving and how many of my sure go to is are you gonna steer? Uh, we have a voice mill today. Let's take a listen Hey Lexi and mossy. This is tips from DC. I'm a drummer. So I'm a paradiddle smasher of all the buttons left right left left My question is I'd like you guys to answer the question that Alexi asks people when he interviews them. What are the best and worst things About us soccer now, especially as we're approaching the 2030 world cup four years. I know but Lexi I'd like to hear it from the lens of former player one EV analyst two and then three MLS general manager all hats of which you've worn and Lexi possibly Your historical knowledge of maybe it's from the lens of the Titanic Starting the voyage in 2026 to 2030. How can we avoid hitting an iceberg? So what decisions could we make now? Love the podcast. So guy is so glad you guys got lots of love because the summer was amazing. Vamos SOTU Yeah, I mean, I don't see us heading for An iceberg But you know Titanic didn't see themselves heading for an iceberg either And I don't but I don't think we're naive In that I think we recognize that there is the potential of hitting in an iceberg and we are going to be vigilant You know, I think back spits you know back in the day when we had you know These project 2010s or you know all these different projects and it's good. It's good to have goals Even if you don't necessarily attain them It's important because it keeps people moving moving forward. I am I can be a Cremogen and I can be critical and I times I think it's it's fair But for those that have listened over the years and watched over the years including Spits they're over there in DC. I think when it really comes down to it. I am romantic. I am A believer and a true believer in this unique Country and culture in general and the unique country and culture that we have when it comes to Soccer, you know, I think one of our one of our big problems And I don't think it's necessarily specific to the US, but it's certainly one of our problems here is we eat our own Um, and we eat our own on the field Uh off the field you mentioned, you know, the three different ways that I would look at it as you know when it comes to broadcast when it comes to A player or you know a GM or anything Uh Like that I think you can find examples of that consistently, but guess what? I think in in normal everyday life You can probably find examples of that, but what it does is it stunts our growth and it sends us into Uh into different into different directions. I think one of the advantages that we do have Is that we are able to create something From scratch Again with the understanding that you know this incredible diversity that we have that we have means there's this incredible diversity of thought And so you know when I think of last week we talked about you know you asked about the broadcast element of it right what is an American broadcast and we talked about how You know, what is an American broadcast? Well, I don't know. It's it's it's all of these different types of voices But as much as we eat our own embedded in that Is this insecurity that I talk about and we got to get past that We got to get past feeling inferior because we're not a quote-unquote soccer country or culture It doesn't mean that we put our heads in the sand And that we don't take direction Or we don't take advice Or we don't take best practices from things that have been done around the world with the recognition That Just because it works someplace else doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to work here especially because of the unique aspects of of American soccer But I also think that it's important and this is so this is so difficult especially when something's raw or coming off of a World Cup. It's so difficult to take stock and to have perspective. It's so difficult for You know a younger generation for me to talk about do you realize how far we've come Given the fact that oftentimes we've had one foot behind our back do you realize how far we've come In terms of the infrastructure in terms of the knowledge The talent that we have the coaching that we have the referring there. Yes The organization as much as it takes criticism out there what we have established in a country the size of ours with again The diversity of thought in the way that everybody thinks oftentimes differently about what the game should look like on And off the field and I'm not telling you spits or anybody else out there anything That they that they don't know and you know I can Like anybody I can sit up here and I can poke holes and we know why aren't we doing this and why aren't we we doing that But it goes back to something that we you know, I think I mentioned this this summer during the World Cup There are incredible men and women Bossy that work in American soccer I know at times it's kind of cool and it has been recently to To vilify them especially when it comes to American American youth soccer But that's where the power is that's where the future lies and not just these incredible Men and women but they're incredible because of The experience that they have and the intelligence that they have and they understand what works They understand what doesn't work and they understand the reality But they also have perspective in understanding about how far we've come. I mean the The ancient way in which I came up in American soccer back in the 70s and the 80s and into the 90s I wish I could take some of these players. I wish I could take some of these coaches I wish I could take some of these pundits Back to that day and for those that lived in that day shame on you for not Having that type of perspective doesn't mean you don't want more But what we have done we love to kick ourselves for what we haven't done And that's what makes us kind of American because we're never satisfied But there's also a point where you also have to look back and pat yourself on the back for how far we have come As a soccer playing nation as a culture both on And off the field when it comes to broadcasting. I'll finish it finish it here There is no one way to do soccer broadcasting in the United States as opposed to other countries and cultures And at some point we might have our way and like a lot of things in America It's going to be this melting pot of a lot of different things Creating something new and different and unique and don't you dare apologize Apologize for it when it comes to you know Me as a as a as a former player I don't think that we're heading to an iceberg doesn't mean we're going to win a world cup Next world cup men's world cup next world cup or in my lifetime for that matter But we're heading in a good direction. We're heading in a positive direction doesn't mean That it's all going to be smooth sailing along the way as a matter of fact I can tell you right now. It's not all going to be smooth sailing But at least we're heading in what I feel is the right is the right direction in many instances Now I know that was kind of top level type of stuff and spits if I ever you know see you at a Place along the way and a bar or something like that we can sit down We can get a little more granular and talk about you know the things that are out there. I'm I'll also finish it here. I'm not doing the work You are all right. I get on television and I put on makeup and I talk about Soccer. I'm not I'm not coaching your kids All right, I'm not doing the day out day in and day out slog of being in you soccer. I'm not trying to change You know structures. I'm not trying to change mentalities out there That's those incredible men and women. It's why I felt kind of protective of them when they were getting crapped on By people that had just come into the tent. I know I will argue and we'll defend They're right to have an opinion no matter how long or little they've been involved in the game but When you are blaming the fact that we didn't win a world cup on these men and women they get up each and every day and put their Body and soul into the game not to produce World cup players But hopefully to produce better young men and women that are going to lead what I feel is the greatest country in the world No, I'm not I'm not going to I'm not going to let you do that They're the ones that are doing the work. They're the ones that have the answers and they're the ones that deserve the credit Doesn't mean I can't be critical. It doesn't mean I can't talk about it, but this is This is the microphone and this is the The platform from which I talk about the game One guy who's always had a lot of opinions about talent development in this country and who's worked hard to try to improve that is our pal Eric When Alda and I know he is the subject of your one for the road today Yeah, Eric when Alda I've known Eric you've known Eric you worked with Eric. We both worked with with Eric. He's been around As a pundit and on and broadcast obviously as a as a coach. He is a proud father And obviously a incredible U.S. player I'm a less player scored the first goal in MLS history and so he has been around in part of a lot of American soccer history He has seen He has seen a lot and I was mentioning coaches in in the ask a Lexi segment Eric when Alda has coached at various levels and a bunch of different different places with you know various degrees of success You know Eric is a unique dude and Eric will let you know exactly how he feels Eric and in doing so at times it's actually really kind of interesting And entertaining in the way that he does it. He doesn't suffer fools He doesn't have any type of filter But he I think really enjoys coaching and wants to coach and will Do what he needs to do to get in a position to coach and whether it's Eric when Alda or anybody else You know, we are at the stadium of your union here We look through the lens of red white and blue color glasses and this is one of our own Going over to Estonia and he was named the head coach of I think it's gnome united over there in Estonia and I wish him all of the success As the new coach. I hope it is something that he enjoys I hope that he like I said he is successful at it And if that leads to other opportunities whether it's back here in the United States or other places that would be That would that would be great. I want americans to do well I want americans to do well as players. I want them to do well as coaches I want them to do well as administrators regardless of what level it is out there and I will I will I will I will support you we can agree we can a disagree disagree We can scream and yell and at times Eric and I have gone back and forth That's just kind of part of the Eric when all the experience That's cool, but there's I grew up with Eric And I know who he is You're a roommate with the national team. I was a roommate with him for the national team and A wonderful player you mentioned earlier Tony Miola talking about That swagger that Eric had and like all of us, you know, we all have egos and to different extent You got to be able to harness that But he certainly did to become one of the great U.S. players in history And you know now he well he continues to coach and has been coaching for a number of years And I will look forward to see how norm united does over there in Estonia It's not easy come over there in a new country and a new culture and You know to get that to hit the ground running and language and all that kind of stuff over there So we will look forward to seeing what's going on in the way that we track americans Out there as players We also track coaches out. So this is going to become part of yank subrod Yeah, I yeah, we'll keep it on it. Yeah, they evidently they won their first game According to Eric first time they've beaten their cross-town rivals in club history good for them He's an american who is doing good things in soccer out there and doing different things in soccer out there And I know you're going to tell me well what about this guy and what about this guy We you know, we have only so much bandwidth, but he is someone that that we know and The fact that this was news is exactly what this team wanted The fact that I know who numb united is right now Is specifically and solely because they hired Eric when all the Well done. That's good marketing. I have to say to bring this pod back full circle We started by talking about your son Henry I remember when we started doing this pod eight years ago You bringing him into the studio. He was this tiny little boy The fact that he's going off the couch now is surreal similarly with Eric You know, we did a radio show together for serious exam and I got to know his family I went over to his house for Thanksgiving and I got to know Tatum when all that when she was this little girl 10 years old and the fact that she's now this NWSL star is a bit surreal Yeah, I mean look Eric It's Eric, you know, I can't say I can't quit him You know, and I don't apologize for him He can do that on his own. He you know says things publicly and privately and you know It does what he does what he does, but that's who Eric is and I want him to do well here as I would want any American who goes over and gets kind of thrown into a situation Like this and I hope we have more of These types of these types of situations and that's here again if you're new to the show This is kind of what we do This is what we talk about we talk about Americans and we want Americans to do well in The culture of soccer whether it's here domestically or whether it's anywhere around the world Anything before we go my friend. Yeah very quickly For what are we watching? I do have a new show. I've started binging. It's called Furious On Hulu my buddy Scott Norwood recommended it not the feel go kicker Um for episodes in out of eight so far really good It's like this serial female serial killer and there's a female FBI agent chasing her It's similar to killing Eve, which is a show I talked about years back on BBC America And I love that show and I love this one as well So I'm gonna keep watching and I can't wait to finish the binge Also, do we think your mother is listening? Yeah, probably I forgot to email her this but I'll mention it here Hopefully There's a podcast witness Titanic hosted by a guy named James Pinka It's available on Spotify and everywhere else where you can get your podcasts I recommend she should check it out. It's pretty good on the Titanic We know you're a Titanic aficionado and and and she certainly is interested that wait wait the one you mentioned It's it's done eight eight episodes right correct. Okay. That's because For those that don't know I know I know this I can bid you from binge it from start to finish I know this season is over. I'm not sure how it ends if it lends itself to further seasons The only thing I have is OJ unseen exploitation of evil over there on HBO a four-part documentary about the Hidden camera prank show that OJ Simpson was involved with called juiced When I say Everybody involved in this documentary Well, not everybody involved in the documentary everybody involved in juiced Which this documentary is about is disgusting They they try to explain away And you know at least they call that exploitation of evil OJ Simpson. We already know. Okay, so I don't even like his craziness whatever This is so bad that suddenly killing two people is not the low point of this So G Simpson and we already know he is beyond redemption, okay But these Directors and even the actors that were involved in in all of this them trying to justify their their evolve involvement It's just it was just disgusting the whole thing was just Gross from start to finish And they're all there was kind of this weird thing where they were trying to Absolve that not totally absolve themselves, but come clean about their involvement And yet they're doing a documentary a four-part documentary about it and kind of Capitalizing on it yet again. It's just it's just it's just gross. I'm not saying don't watch it But everybody just seemed gross that was involved in it directly and even tangentially it's just Gross the whole thing On that note bring us home that note Thanks for watching by the way and listening out there another live show in the books Continue to be a work in progress. Thanks also for downloading and for rating and for subscribing And for reviewing and doing all the different things that you do out there smashing that button left and right double fist and up and down over there on the old YouTube machine or and Spotify and Apple and over there on X when we're live and all that kind of stuff Out there. We really appreciate it. The numbers just keep going up and up and up. We love speaking of tense We love to bring everybody into the state of the immune tent We will talk to you again next week have a wonderful wonderful weekend of soccer whether you're playing on the field whether you're watching it Off the field enjoy your soccer Talk to you again next weekend until then and as always my friends size You