Ep. 15 - USMNT vs. Turkiye, Major Storylines So Far, Which Game Are You Watching?

Brandon and Shaun get you up to date on all of the latest World Cup news and notes. 

We start by breaking down what we would do if we were managing the USMNT ahead of the relatively meaningless Turkiye match. 

We get into some major storylines that are developing in this tournament. First and foremost, the stars are showing up and showing out. We also discuss "hydration breaks" and our thoughts on the refs so far.

Lastly, we dive into which match we will have on our TV as we move through the final days of the group stage. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:22

Hello, friends, and welcome to episode 15 of the Friends on Football Podcast. I'm one of your co-hosts, Brandon Johnson, and I'm here today, as always, with our other co-host, Mr. Sean Boyle.

SPEAKER_00 0:33

Sean, how are you doing? Brandon, I'm doing well. It's a pleasure to talk to you. We've got a lot to catch up on. I'm still I'm still caught up in the mania. There's no bad days when the World Cup's on, so I'm just enjoying every second. How about yourself?

SPEAKER_01 0:45

I'm doing well. I agree with you. It's been a wild first few weeks here in the World Cup, and we still have so much more to go. Tonight, Sean, I think we'll take a little bit of a step back. We'll highlight and look at the U.S. men's national team, just kind of give a state of the union, what's going on with the team before their final game on Thursday. Then we'll discuss some storylines that we've seen at the World Cup. We've seen a lot of stars that have really shown up, and they've been incredibly outperforming, I think, even what we predicted. So we'll we'll get into that a little bit. And then we'll sort of end with a little bit of a which would you watch scenario with the final group stage games, Sean, all of the group will be playing at the same time. And we'll give you a what would you rather watch scenario? So, Sean, let's just get started. Let's dive right in. U.S. men's national team. The US is qualified for the round of 32. The game against Turkey takes place on Thursday at 10 p.m. Essentially a meaningless game for the US men's national team. Sean, just give me your feeling around the team. How are things going, do you think, in that camp right now?

SPEAKER_00 1:59

I think vibes couldn't be higher. It seems like Pachatino is having a laugh with the media. He's talking about how much he likes Chick-fil-A, which was stunning to hear. I'd like a little more focus maybe on Turkey A, I don't know. But no, I think everything's good in the US camp. They've gotten a bit fortunate with how the group played out that this game does not mean anything, and they have the ability to kind of do what they want with it, which is I think what we should talk about. What exactly will the lineup look like? Do we prioritize resting our players and having them 100% healthy for the first knockout match, or do we prioritize maybe playing them and keeping up this good form that they're in? So I'm interested to get your opinion on that. But I I mean, it seems like good vibes. Christian Pulisic's talking, it seems like he's 100% healthy. I feel like he's one that could have played if he had to last week, but it seemed like a precautionary measure to keep him out. So that's a that's encouraging news. There's a lot of good vibes. It's almost too good. It's almost like I wouldn't hate a little bit of controversy or something to upset the Apple cart because right now we're smooth as a leg, and I'm worried we're about to get blind set.

SPEAKER_01 3:09

Sean, that's an interesting point. I agree with you. Overall, it definitely seems like the team's relaxed. Focused, but relaxed, which is, I think, what you want in a situation like this. You mentioned the rest versus rust scenario. Now, Sean, I'm kind of going back and forth on this one. I think I'm a I'm a rest guy. I'm I'm I'm resting the starters on Thursday night. I don't think it makes sense to play them. I think you probably keep Matt Freeze in goal. I think as a goalkeeper, knock on wood, of course. Chance of injury is a little bit lower, and you probably want to have him see some more shots. He he hasn't seen a ton of shots, honestly, in the first two games. However, the rest of the team, I think what we would hope I would hope to see some rotation. I would love to see guys like Haji Wright, who haven't played a lot of minutes, get some get into some form and and get some touches on the ball. I understand Christian is 100% healthy. Sean, I'm still not playing him. I think we just rest him until the round of 32 game, which is now certainly going to be Bosnia on July 1st, Bosnia and Herzegovania. So I I think Sean I'm a rest guy. I understand where the where the back and forth comes from, but overall I would say rest, and especially the four guys who have yellow cards, because to get a silly yellow card in the game against Turkey and have to miss the game against Bosnia next week is doesn't make too much sense to me. Uh, what do you what do you think about that?

SPEAKER_00 4:44

You can go ahead and call us a rest first podcast. We we're in lockstep there, Brandon. 100% agree. The main priority would be the guys who are dealing with any sort of injury, pool of six, anybody who picked up a little mine or something, those guys obviously need to be rested. And then the second priority is the guys on yellow cards. It goes without saying that those guys should not see the pitch, they should not sniff the pitch. I don't even care if they go to the match. That's how little I want them. I don't want them picking up a yellow card for anything. So you could get a yellow card on the bench, you know, you could argue with the ref from the bench, you could step out when you're not supposed to. I don't want to risk anything, especially with guys that are pivotal like Chris Richards and Tyler Adams. Do not want them picking up a second yellow and missing that round of 32 game. I think another thing that is a benefit to rotating the squad heavily is yes, you can make the argument that, oh, they're on the roster. These guys deserve a chance to play in a World Cup. I don't agree with that necessarily. I think it's a privilege to go. So if you're in that 26 and get to train and be part of this squad, that's enough. But I do think there's a benefit to making sure those guys are ready in case they're called upon. So we talked about guys like Haji Wright, but there's several others. Giovanni Reyna, he there's a very real chance that Malik Tillman picks up a knock in the Bosnia game. And Gio's forced with playing 80 minutes in that round of 16 matchup. So I think having the whole squad ready to go is a very, very good thing. And I think maybe it won't work out exactly that way, but I think it could help in getting those guys to a level where they feel pretty confident as well. And then in an ideal world, everybody, all 26 of them, are confident, fit, and firing, heading into the knockouts. You brought up the Freeze scenario. I'm with you on that. I want target practice on whole Maddie Freeze. Just tee off on him. Let's get reps under his belt because he hasn't had to do much through the first two games, and it was a cause of an area of concern for me, at least going into this tournament. So I would feel very comfortable if Turkey A just peppered the United States goal and make Freeze make some saves.

SPEAKER_01 6:51

I'll take a goal or two from uh my guy Arto Goulair too. It wouldn't help wouldn't hurt the Brandon uh player pool pot draft pick. But uh now I think you make an interesting point, Sean. One little nugget that we should probably bring up is Christian Raldan. So Christian Raldan likely would have would slot in for Tyler Adams in that defensive midfield role, but he's picked up a knock in training. So now Marcia Pacettino, do you put Tyler Adams out there? Do you put Christian Raldan at not 100% out there? Or do we just go with the third option? I mean, Sean, me, you and I both said there's some guys that didn't make this roster who would fit right in, and Aiden Morris. What's he doing right now? You know, a Tanner Tessman could throw him back there. It's an interesting situation to be in. Do you just throw Burrhalter back there and somebody else and just say, hey, figure it out? Or where's your head out on this?

SPEAKER_00 7:44

Well, we brought 10 defenders, which was something that I said might be a little bit questionable when it happened, and we agreed it was okay. We were a little bit light in midfield in case something happened. Well, now it's a good thing because we're safe, but something has happened where Tyler Adams has a yellow card. We don't need to win this game, and Christian Roldan has picked up a minor injury. Maybe he's able to go. The report I saw was day-to-day. But cargo Christian, I mean, this guy's best ability was his availability and that he spoke Spanish. Those were his two like calling cards for this unit. And honestly, now he's just a translator if he can't play. So I really, really wish he was fit to give us 90 minutes of mediocre football against Turkey. I don't know if he's gonna be able to do that. So that's a that's another real strike against him. I guess run Bearhalter out there, and as much as I tee off on Sebastian Bearhalter, we can't afford an injury to him. He's become he's become the first man off the bench. So that's a little bit playing with fire, but I guess that's our best answer.

SPEAKER_01 8:46

Is there a situation where you could throw a singer maybe in that sixth role? I don't know if like a Mark McKenzie, just based on him being athletic, could slot into that role. Of course, that's not his natural position, and we both know that, but are we at desperate point? I guess my question to you, Sean, is how are we approaching this? Like, are we okay just getting potentially smacked 5-0? Of course.

SPEAKER_00 9:09

I would be. I would rather get smacked 5-0, I think. And that's how much I prioritize health, and not having Tyler Adams or somebody suspended. So that's where I would sit. I would rather get beaten, play a center back at midfield, like you mentioned. Is there a center back we have among the 10 defenders that can turn on the ball? I don't know. I don't know. I'm trying to think of who the best answer would be. It might be Mark McKenzie, and that's not good news. Joe Scally, maybe one of the wing backs, maybe one of those guys can do a job. Chris Richards probably could, but I don't want to play him either. So it's like, yeah, I don't know. I guess some people would say you can't lose all your momentum, you can't lose three, four, nothing. It's better to play Tyler Adams and trust that he won't get a yellow card. You might be right. I just prefer to play things extraordinarily safe in this one and have a group of hungry dogs ready for that knockout round. Fair enough, fair enough.

SPEAKER_01 10:01

And and I think, Sean, we could have this debate all night, and you'll s I'm sure you're reading it. I'm seeing it online, I'm reading it. People are going back and forth, and obviously we're just gonna have to wait until Thursday night to see to see what Pachatino decides. I think there are pros and cons to each each way of playing this, but uh like you said, we're a very rest forward podcast. We would rest rest the boys, let the other boys play, get them some minutes, and then we'll go from there. Sean, turning to some more general storyline so far, this world cup, where every team's two, and some teams are played their third group stage game, so we're we're kind of on that back end of the group stage. Sean, the superstars are here. The the the names we've we've all heard, the one-named guys, these guys that have been heroes that we've we've learned about, read about, seen them play, the casual fan knows them. I feel like they, for the most part, have shown up. You want to just run through a couple of guys who you've seen that maybe are are living up to that standard that that we expect from them?

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Yeah, I guess we could start with kind of some appetizers before we save the the the main course for later. But I mean, you're exactly right when you say the superstars have shown up. They've shown up in a huge, huge way. Almost all of them, down to a man, are now producing, and not just producing by putting in good performances, they're producing by getting on the end of goals, they're assisting, they're really playing well. I guess we'll start with the youngest of amongst this group, Lamin Yamal, made his tournament debut. He got his first start at the World Cup, and therefore that meant he scored his first goal for Spain against Saudi Arabia, got on the end of a cross. They just looked a completely different side in this game. And I think we talked about how the balance of their team was out of whack without the wingers in there, and I thought they did a much better job with Bayena on the left-hand side and Lamin on the right-hand side acting as more true wingers, even though Baina's not by nature a left-winger. He's able to be a bit more creative and vertical than a guy like Javi was able to do. So that really helped out Lamin Yamal, and he arrived as I think we all would have expected in his first World Cup start. He gets his first World Cup goal. So I'm assuming you saw that. And then along the same lines as him, we have to a guy who's leading one of the premier dark horse picks is Erling Holland. He's just bagging goals. Like it's it's like a Premier League season has broken out. Erling is just getting on the end of everything. He scores two more for Norway as they beat Senegal and Clinch a a berth in the round of 32. So I guess we'll start with those two. Both of them have been great.

SPEAKER_01 12:39

Completely agree with you. Those two have been fantastic so far. And what you'd expect to see from them, Lamin scoring, he's only played about 70 minutes, already has a goal. I'd expect to see more, maybe not in their next game, but as they progress through the knockout stages. Uh, a couple more for you, Sean. Vinny Jr. Four goals now. I had two goals in the notes, but as of the time of recording, that has now changed to four goals. So he's somebody that I think is becoming a household name. And when I say household name, Sean, obviously you and I, majority I would say of our listeners know who Vinny Jr. is, but he's now the guy who the co-worker at work who doesn't even watch soccer comes up to you and says, Oh, who's this who's this Vinny Jr. guy? I see he's scoring goals left and right. Like, yeah, he he's he's good.

SPEAKER_00 13:30

He's like News Flash. Yeah, and I think that'll continue to happen because if Brazil turn into the team, I was kind of hoping and expecting they would. They're so fun to watch, and they have these electrifying attacking players, and Vinny's leading the line there. He's he's bundling in goals. A couple of them were handed to him as gifts from the Scots. The Tartan army are just handing out presents in the way of goals. I didn't like seeing that. As you do have him in the player pool, but Vinny, Vinny certainly he's scoring, he's dancing, Brazil seems to be flying into the knockout, so that that's a really good shout. Brandon, another one, and this guy, he might go down. It's early to say, he might go down as the best World Cup player ever because the pace that he is on is absolutely blistering, and you got to saw you got to see him live in the flesh, albeit in rain-soaked glasses and rain-soaked clothes. It was Mr. Killian Mbappe. I want to hear about your experience watching him live because he's another one who just can't stop scoring.

SPEAKER_01 14:29

Sean, you said it. He can't stop scoring. He is electrifying. And I think I know I'd never seen him before this game, and coming into the game against Iraq. France obviously highly favored. Kudos to Iraq. They they did their thing, they they tried to put up with it, but the the pace at which he plays and his touch is absurd. The ability that he has to not only see the move he wants to make first, but it's almost like he knows how that move will turn out. So he'll he's planning his second move before the first move even happens. And there were a couple of turns and and passes he had that I was like, I mean, jaw on the ground. Like you're sitting in the crowd and you're like, how did he see that? Did he really just try that? And then obviously he scores, he scores twice, and it's just like, yeah, that guy is his special. And you know, he'll if we had him on the podcast, Killian, whenever you want to come on, we're ready for you. He would probably tell you he should have had three or four goals against Iraq. But uh for him to have four goals in the first two matches, I mean, Francis took a little bit in that first half against Senegal, but since then, the last three halves they played, they've been flying Sean. And and I would just also want to just put in with Kylian and Mbappe, maybe a guy we isn't necessarily a big household name, but I think he's he's worth a shout, is Michael Elise. He has three assists. Um, of course, his job is a little bit easier than most. He gets to pass it to Mbappe and Dembele all day long. Like you're bound to get a few assists there. But he's been creating really well, and he's probably that sort of forgotten about player in the France attack just based on the other names around him, but you need a player like him. You need someone to feed Mbappe the ball, you need someone to feed Dembele the ball and have that unselfish attitude because you know you have two of the greatest players in the world playing next to you, they're gonna have to see the ball. So I just want to also give Elise a shout out because he's he's been really good so far at this World Cup.

SPEAKER_00 16:21

I think it's important to shout him out too, because he there's a chance he wins the Ballon d'Or this year. Like, I don't think that's a completely insane thing to think. That's how good he is. And not a ton of people know who he is. In terms of at least general Americans who are just getting into the sport, they have heard the names that we've mentioned before Elise there. They've heard of Mbappe, they've heard of Erling Holland even because of him playing in the Premier League and leading the league in goals several times. So I think they're familiar with them. If you're not familiar with Michael Elise, yeah, you need to get familiar quick. He is unbelievable. He plays at Bayern Munich, he played at Crystal Palace, so he did get his start really in the Premier League, but he is just so good. And he now he moved inside for France and played in that 10 role more as Dembele kind of kicked out to the right hand side in this one. And it's just all deadly. We talked about how fluid and interchangeable those front four attackers for France are, and it's special to watch, especially when they get into a free-flow state and they're just picking up different positions and getting on the ball and just trying different things, just seeing what comes off, almost having fun with it. And that's all great. And I'm getting mesmerized by it, and I'm now thinking, why on earth did I say they wouldn't win this World Cup? I keep telling myself that maybe some of those moments where they do switch off for 10 minutes in games, that'll come back to bite them, but it won't in this group. So they they have a great match, which we'll get to later. They play Norway to decide who wins the group. Erling Holland has already admitted defeat. He said they'll win that match and win the group and probably the World Cup, which was honestly a pretty good mind game, a nice little tactic, I think. It's a free. I think Norway is just super happy that they've made it out. So he's just on cloud nine. He's like, I don't care. But yeah, just Olyse deserves a seat at that table with the guys that we're talking about. So I'm glad you brought him up.

SPEAKER_01 18:13

Yeah, Sean and I have a few more guys. I'm gonna give two two ConcaCap guys a quick shout-out uh before we get into the last two. But Jonathan David, Hatrick for Canada in their second game. Uh unfortunately, they did lose today and he did not score, but he's been doing it forever for Canada, and I feel like he's gonna be key for them if they want to advance through their knockout stage. Canada is going to be the second place team in group B, and they'll play the winner of group A, which could potentially be Mexico. So that'll be a really great matchup. Uh, and then our guy from the United States, Florin Balligan. Two goals so far in this World Cup, but also forced an own goal. Sean, we talked about the own goal and how it should count for something more than just nothing, really nothing. It should count for something on his stat sheet, but uh two goals, and and he's really solidified himself as that USA number nine that we've been hoping for and dreaming for for years, and I and I feel like he's still coming into himself and he's still getting better by the day, but uh just two two ConcaCalf guys, two local guys that I wanted to also shout out.

SPEAKER_00 19:24

I think that's very nice of you to include those guys in this conversation. It's generous, very generous. I do think it is nice at least to bring up Florin Balogun. Jonathan David, I'm a little bit uh upset about because you have him in the player pool and his goals because Canada's a tier three team are counting for so many points against me that Hat Trick almost killed me. But he is certainly the main man in Canada, and I think they're an interesting team to watch come the knockouts. I think they would have really liked to have that home field advantage in the first knockout game, which they've lost by finishing second. So we'll talk more about that when we have their knockout match scheduled. But Florin Balogun, he's another guy who is gonna use this World Cup as a platform to make a big move at the club level as well. He's entering the last year of his contract at Monaco, and it's rumored that there's a lot of Premier League teams and other top European sides interested in him, and Monaco appear to be willing to sell for around 50 million euros. So I think that's really good news for Flo. I think he's gonna continue to have a really good tournament. I would not expect his scoring to stay, his scoring tally to stay at two. I think he'll at least double that. We'll see if he plays at all against Turkey, but I'm really confident in what I've seen from him so far, and I'm excited to continue to watch him get better and better each year. And honestly, sometimes it takes strikers, as we talked about, a little bit longer to develop. So I think that's a perfect appetite. It's a little, it's a little side treat. And before we we're gonna go right from Florent Balgin to Cristiano Ronaldo, who I think he was sitting at home just completely jealous, Brandon. He he saw all these guys on the first match day get on the score sheet. Everybody's talking about Leo Messian, how he's the GOAT. Portugal drew the Congo, they looked poor. Ronaldo looked poor, and then of course, in match day two, when all the doubt was on him, all the eyeballs were on him, Cristiano scores instantly, and he ends up with a brace, kind of writing the ship for Portugal. I'll say their performance looked a hell of a lot better in this one than it did in the first one.

SPEAKER_01 21:25

Agree with you. I think you're right. He he heard the party and all the noise, and he said, Hey, I you know, Cristiano's got to be in that conversation. So he pointed at himself and said, Alright, let's go. And I think it's great to see. Again, another name. People who don't watch the game, people know who he is. And to see him play the first game and draw one one against Congo, people are like, Oh, wait, he is actually, you know, 40 years old. Like, maybe his time's up. And he said, Hold on, like, hold my beer, and comes back, comes back and scores twice. Sean, you know, uh, we don't. Have to have the Ronaldo messy overall debate.

SPEAKER_00 22:02

One other thing I wanted to bring up about Ronaldo, Brandon. I don't know if this is being noticed across all different media platforms and everything, but there was a free kick in the first half where Ronaldo really looked like he was going to take it as he always does. He he claims the ball and everybody knows it's Cristiano's kick unless he says otherwise. But he decided to rehearse. I I guess I have to give the tip of the cap to the set piece coach, but they rehearsed a little trick play here almost, if you want to compare it to an NFL play, where Nuno Mensch, who's left footed, he plays left back, he was standing opposite Ronaldo over the ball for the free kick, and the whole world is expecting Ronaldo to do it. But instead, Nuno Mensch takes his free kick and honestly just snuck one past the keeper. And Nuno Mensch is a world-class player, he could strike a ball phenomenally as well. But I think this could have been a symbolic moment to something that we talked about when previewing Portugal. I said I really liked this Portuguese team in spite of Ronaldo, and I just felt that his ego would continue to get in the way all the time. And in the first game, I thought that was the case. It was he wasn't making the runs in behind like a good number nine would. He wasn't doing the things that an unselfish number nine would. That was a sign and kind of like a cultivating moment for that group, I think. It seemed like the whole team was just full of joy, and almost all each of them were a little bit surprised that Ronaldo just acquiesced and let Nuno Menj take that. And honestly, that was a really encouraging sign for someone who thinks Portugal can win this World Cup. I don't want to see Ronaldo win the World Cup necessarily, but I think if you can get more moments like that out of him and more performances like that out of him, this Portugal team takes on a completely new identity and instantly enters that conversation as one of the threats to win.

SPEAKER_01 23:50

I'm really glad you brought that up, Sean, because I noticed that as well and hadn't really seen much talk about it, but that's huge. I mean, it's literally what we spoke about on this podcast. We said if he wants to take that backseat role and still be a mentor and still be a leader, and we expect him, the goals will come. The goals will come, he'll take the penalties, he'll probably take most of the set pieces. But if he takes that secondary role and says, hey, some of these other guys come on and play, they could go really far. And that's a perfect, perfect example. So, Sean, I appreciate you bringing that up because it was timely, it was relevant, and helped them, you know, win that win that last game. I think switching on to the other favorite, go whatever you want to talk about, Lionel Messi, he sort of already has that built in. There's sort of this sense that Argentina sort of plays for Messi, whereas Ronaldo sort of plays, and Portugal just kind of plays around how Ronaldo wants to play. And I think Ronaldo came out of his shell a little bit, and we we mentioned you mentioned that. But Messi, he's always been that guy, and he's always had the team around him that says, Hey Messi, I understand you're not gonna run a lot, you're not gonna play defense, you're gonna float, you're gonna you're gonna track to the areas that you want to track to, but we got you. And I think that makes the players around him on Argentina so much better. I mean, speaking of Messi, obviously, he has five goals in this in these first two games, and Argentina's you know, six and six, six points and six, six points total in their two games, and he has five goals, so and a missed penalty kick. So he could easily be on six goals. Sean, just break down Messi, break down his game. Uh for someone who doesn't watch the game of soccer regularly, they see this guy, he's five foot five, five foot six, small, skinny. They uh they I'm sure they can understand his technical ability with his feet, but but Sean, what makes him so great? What what sort of is that it factor that he has that the other these other guys don't have?

SPEAKER_00 25:53

I guess, Brandon, the one I it's a bad answer, but the only thing I can think of is the word magic. He he's he's magic, he's a magician. Everything he touches turns to gold. I guess to provide some context, because I think you're bringing up an interesting point where Messi walks around, and I, I'm a Messi guy, I say, Oh, that's just Leo. He's getting in a position to start a counterattack or score a goal. If Ronaldo were to do that, I would be immediately look like look at Cristiano out there. You know, I would be very hypocritical in that sense. But I do think that there's a difference in the way the team thinks about how that behavior looks on the pitch and how they get behind that behavior. For like you mentioned, Argentina plays for Messi. And I think each of those guys would genuinely consider dying for Leo Messi. That's how much they love him, adore him, just admire him. They're in awe of him. And I don't think those things are untrue for Cristiano in Portugal, but I think my answer, and this could be off base, I would love for an Argentinian to tune in and tell me otherwise. But I'm reading this book, Angels with Dirty Faces, actually. And it's about the history of football in Argentina and kind of how when football came to the country, there wasn't really any leaders to look up to. There was no presidents that were people to inspire, and there was no real historical sense of figures that they could get behind. And then football players took over that role in society. They transcended everything, and football became such a huge part of Argentinian culture. And the book goes into obviously Diego Maradona, who is was the epitome of that. And now that has shifted to Leo Messi, who's brought them the World Cup. And I think it's honestly a larger-than-life thing. Like they grew up, oh, this team grew up watching Messi play, idolizing Messi, and now they get the chance to play with him. And I mentioned before the World Cup how there's two countries that I think would much prefer to play for their country every day than ever for their club. And I honestly think they don't even care about the money when playing for the club. I think they do it for free. And that's Brazil and Argentina. And I think that just goes back to the culture, and there's just something steeped in all of these players' minds about what it means to wear the Argentina kit, what it means, what it means to play alongside Leo Messi. And I think that's why you see the buy-in from these guys without a second question asked. Each of them would gladly double their running in a match to cover for Leo because he consistently provides those moments of brilliance. You mentioned five goals in two matches, could have been six. He missed a pen. He's kind of surprisingly not the best penalty taker, which makes no sense to me. I think his career percentage on penalties is in the 70s, which you would never ever imagine that from probably the greatest soccer player of all time. But yeah, honestly, it might just be a thing where if you prefer Messi, you're gonna side with Messi in these sort of things. And if you prefer Ronaldo, that's wrong, but it's also it's also you're gonna side with him. But I just think the difference between those two, and not to get into the age-old debate between them, Messi's complete all-around game. If you watch his passing and the things that he does to get others involved as well, I think that's just always been at a different level to Cristiano. So that's where they're separated for me, but it's great to have both of them still doing this, and I think we should all just take a moment and be so thankful that we're seeing not only the young superstars shine in this tournament, but the two old classics as well.

SPEAKER_01 29:10

Yeah, you gotta have the OGs, and and these two are definitely the OGs. Sean, I appreciate your answer to that question because it's a question that I've gotten at work outside, just talking to people who maybe aren't as familiar with the game about why he's so good. Sean, do you think 2030 the the first part of the World Cup is actually taking place in Argentina, hundredth year, hundredth year of the World Cup? Sh can he can he put the jersey back on, Sean?

SPEAKER_00 29:41

I might sound this might sound crazy. I think he's as good or better right now than he was last World Cup. Wow. And I don't know if that's because he's fresher from MLS, and I don't think he was bad. I mean, he won the last World Cup, he was the best player, he capped him the side, he was incredible, but I think he's even more cutthroat in the final third. It's just so maybe his lack of mobility and able to ability to run all over the pitch has kind of made him just more cutthroat, and he he takes his chances, he's so incisive, he still has the flair about him. I I honestly think he's aging like a wine, a fine wine. I'm I don't want to ever put him in a box and say no. So I'll just say, yeah, you know what? I don't think it's completely out of the realm of possibility. I think he'll be 42, maybe 43 at that time. Ronaldo's 41 now, right? Like it's not that far off. I oh god, what I will I will watch Leo Messi play in a senior league if I could. So I want I never want to stop seeing playing soccer. So yeah, please, I'll sign I'll sign his name up for the 26 man roster for 2030. What do I have to lose?

SPEAKER_01 30:47

That's true. And it's crazy because he definitely seems like he's one of those guys that'll get everybody better. So even if it is a 30-minute sub guy, a 15 minutes here, or just the hey, like you said, Christian Raldan, where it's just luggage and he's and he's uh translating or he's just helping the young guys come along, like you need that. And I feel like, you know, of course, we're four years away, Sean. This is this is super premature, but I feel like if he wants it, they'll get they'll they'll give him a spot. Like, how do you say no to that?

SPEAKER_00 31:15

Yeah, honestly, if he says I'd like a spot, he gets a spot. So and honestly, if this pesky Mbappe doesn't stop scoring goals, he might have to to make sure he remains the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer, which he achieved in this last game. So yeah, I he's just incredible. We're so lucky to watch him. My Graham, who doesn't, I have never known I've known her my whole life. She's 90 years old. I've never known her once to care about the sport of soccer. She's calling me ahead of messy matches, asking when he tunes in, saying she's a lifelong fan of him. She loves the way he handles himself. And you know what, Graham? I said, you know what? He's he's all class. You know, he's not like Cristiano out there puffing his chest. He lets his play do the talk. So yeah, it's just great stuff. Happy to have Leo in this tournament. I'm very unhappy that you have him on your team after you said how this Argentina team stunk and then took him right in my face. That was a little bit dirty, but we're so blessed.

SPEAKER_01 32:06

We we really are. And Sean, like I said during the draft, I'm not I'm not an Argentinian Argentina guy, but I'm not an idiot. And and I know I can respect greatness. So Nessie, yeah, we love your goals. Keep them up. Uh next time finish the penalty kick, or at least make the goalie make a save. I I'm Sean, this is completely off topic, and I apologize, but I can't stand when guys miss penalty kacks and the goalie doesn't have to make a save. If you're gonna miss and he makes a great save, shake his hand, kudos to you. But we can't be missing the target. And and I can't believe I'm saying this talking to Messi because I couldn't even imagine of being anywhere in his stratosphere in the skill of soccer. But come on, come on, my guy, just hit just hit the target.

SPEAKER_00 32:48

Yeah, I do agree. It's it's a big point of contention for me. Especially in a match where you really need it and you see one of your team, like one of your guys miss and they don't hit the frame. Oh, it drives me up a wall. It's it's really hard. You just need to walk that one off. You need to take a lap and just not say anything crazy.

SPEAKER_01 33:05

Sean, now switching gears a bit, you mentioned point of contention. I have another point of contention for you, Sean. Hydration breaks. So now, for those that haven't been watching or you live under a rock, essentially FIFA has installed these mandatory hydration breaks halfway through the first half and halfway through the second half, essentially turning this the soccer match instead of two halves into four quarters now. Sean, we've seen hydration breaks before, typically when the temperature is over a certain threshold, the field temperature is too hot, and it is truly a player safety issue. However, this World Cup, multiple stadiums are domed, so they're air conditioned. We have games that are not that hot, and we're still having hydration breaks. What are your feelings, thoughts, opinions around the hydration break?

SPEAKER_00 33:54

Game's gone. Game's gone, Brandon. The game I love, they butchered it with TV commercials. I I don't know, man. It's tough. Listen, I believe in the Premier League, if it's over 30 degrees Celsius, there is a mandatory hydration break. That's probably 90-something degrees Fahrenheit. Not a math guy, not a science guy. I think we can obviously all agree that that's fine. Though in those situations, it's fair. I don't like that they went ahead and just built in commercials to these and really disrupt the flow of the game. You've seen several times the game almost change on its head coming out of in and out of these breaks. One team goes in with momentum and possession, and they come out looking like a completely different side, where the other team goes and scores a goal before half, or vice versa. So I don't love that. I also don't know what the right answer is because it's it's a strategical coaching point for these teams. So I think the clubs are using it as time to get everybody together and you can make a tactical tweak, which is good because it's hard to do that in soccer when you're standing so far from some of your players that you can't really shift mid-game. It's very hard to communicate. So I don't necessarily think it's crazy to make it a rule for the whole tournament. I just don't like them in general. And I think if it was only when necessary, we could just say, hey, that's the luck of the draw. How many times would they actually have happened? I think maybe we would have had five or six occasions so far total where it met the requirements. I just don't like it. Take it away from me, please. It's too late now. The toothpaste is out of the tube, but I just I'm not a fan of it and how it's affecting the game.

SPEAKER_01 35:32

Sean, you make a really good point, and I agree. The momentum shifts, I feel like people aren't talking about that enough. If we go back and look at the game so far, the number of goals that have occurred in that 28 to 35 minute window are all probably results of this. These teams going into these quote unquote timeouts, hydration breaks, drawing up a new scheme, making adjustments, and they come out and they score a goal instantly. And same in the second half, you know, around the 70th minute mark, but I feel like they're gonna keep it, Sean. And I've already seen a couple articles said saying that they're gonna explore keeping them in future World Cups. Obviously, if to FIFA, this is a money decision, they're able to sell a three-minute commercial in the middle of a soccer game, so the sponsors are lining up. The pay the pay that they're gonna get from that is huge. But like you said, is the game gone now? Are we just transitioning? Should we just play to 23 and just basically have it end there and no extra time? Or you know, like I just don't know. Like you said, the two the toothpaste is out of the uh tube, but how much further do we go, Sean? Is is this the end, or are we gonna find other ways to add sneaky commercials or other quote unquote breaks into the game?

SPEAKER_00 36:56

We better not, because one of my selling points when I'm trying to get people to watch soccer is it's a two-hour commitment straight through. In and out, bing bang boom, no commercials, none of that bullshit. And I can't even say that anymore because of what they did to us. So every four years, you're gonna get commercials now. I think you're right. I don't think it's going anywhere. It's a money-making opportunity for them. They see that as all it is, and they don't really care about the momentum shifts, I think, because they're able to stuff these with commercials and sell those ads. So yeah, I don't like it. It's not my favorite thing. It's not also ruining the experience, but it is changing the game. And Brandon, another thing that I want to bring up to you that's changing the game, to me, it's a pretty big storyline in this World Cup. And this one I'm much more of a fan of, let me just say that. But the refs aren't calling fouls. So I don't know if you noticed this, but a lot of refs didn't bring whistles to matches. They are straight up letting the boys play. And honestly, hey, encouraging to see. We sometimes give away some cheap ones and the ref gets duped. They're easily tricked, they're easily manipulated. Not in this World Cup. I would say, by and large, I've watched a lot of these matches. The refs have always erred on the side of we're not going to call that foul. Unless it's egregious, they're not really blowing their whistle. They're letting, they're waving guys to get up. Guys are furious, and it has caused some situations where they've missed some really clear ones, like, oh my god, how'd you not call that a foul? But I think if we were to stick with this, a really, really firm commitment to sticking with the lack of foul calls, I think we might see some improvements in some of the guys going down easily and some of the guys baiting for flops and things of that nature. So I think long-term it might be a good thing, but it does make the game a bit choppy and ugly when you know you can get away with a lot in out-of-possession play.

SPEAKER_01 38:42

Yeah, Sean, you you mentioned that to me earlier, and I thought about it, and I agree. The the whistles have been lacking, and it it it almost gives you sort of that NBA playoffs in the 90s, you know, that our parents would tell us about, and they're like, oh, they just let each other clothesline each other and they did this, and then they didn't call any fouls. And it's like, okay, like I hear you, dad, but like relax.

SPEAKER_00 39:06

It's exactly it's it's a little looking a little bit like that, Sean. And the Lambeers out there just bulldozing guys in the paint, and they're just saying, get up, play on.

SPEAKER_01 39:16

And what I will say, Sean, is if we keep it this way through the final, then fine. Absolutely, that's fine. We'll keep it. That's how you want to play, that's how we're gonna play. But if they start to get cute in these knockout matches, that's where I think a lot of the frustration is gonna come in because they're gonna say, Hey, the first three, four weeks of this, you let it all happen. And now all of a sudden you want to call every Tiki Tac foul. So to me, it's more of a consistency thing. I I've definitely noticed it. Uh, maybe not to your extent, but it does maybe help the game flow a little bit. And I feel like these second and third group stage matches players are starting to realize, all right, this is not gonna get called, so I have to play through it. But the other side is also, hey, they're not gonna call this, so I can stick an extra leg in, or I can throw another elbow out. So we gotta be careful on that line, but my biggest thing is if they stay consistent in the way they're calling it, then fine. We'll we'll just let the boys play and let the you know, the result decide itself on the field.

SPEAKER_00 40:17

I'm with you, Brandon. I'm with you. I I think it's not it's a wait and see approach we're gonna take here. Let's see how it needs to stay consistent through this tournament. We'll see after it's all decided, we'll see if we like the champion, how the final went, things of that nature before we make a firm ruling on whether we enjoyed the refereeing or not.

SPEAKER_01 40:35

Fair enough, fair enough. Now, Sean, our our last segment tonight, we're gonna go over a little bit of a which would you watch situation. So, for those that don't know, the final group stage game in all of the in each of the groups will be played simultaneously. So no team gets an advantage on hey, so-and-so tied, so all we need to do is tie, or they won, so we have to win. Uh so none of that is really possible. All games will kick off at the same time for each group. Groups A, B, and C have been completed, and they know how they finished. But looking forward to the rest of the groups, Sean, maybe we'll just kind of go group by group, just just with if you had one TV and one remote, which of the two games would you tune into? Because I'm interested in what you have to say. I think there are some some interesting ones where we can probably have a little bit of a debate. Other ones I think are a little bit more clear-cut. So just from your opinion for the listeners, we we would love to go through and and just discuss uh each of the groups, the the final game of the group. I think, Sean, starting with group D, US plays Turkey A, Paraguay Australia. Sean, you've already hinted on this earlier. The USA game is essentially meaningless. Uh as an American, it's probably a little weird to not watch the USA game, but the reality is the Paraguay Australia game means way more. These two teams are playing for second place in that automatic qualifier into the round of 32. Uh, so that's the game I think I'll be watching. What what will what will you be looking at, Sean?

SPEAKER_00 42:05

I I think this is a good exercise because it also gives us the ability to give you the listeners some context as to how the group looks and what's at stake in this final game. So I like that you brought this up, Brandon. It's a good idea. This one is interesting because if you're not an American, the answer is obvious. You're watching Australia Paraguay, it's a it's a loser-leave town type of game. At least that's how you have to go into it. They could advance as a third place team, but you really don't want to leave it up to chance. Maybe they just maybe there's a handshake agreement and they say, hey, we'll both take a point. Let's not get crazy. We'll both advance. But I think I have to still go with the American side because even if it's the backups, I just want to see, and I'm gonna have to talk about it on here. So it just feels like we're gonna have to have eyes on this in some capacity. And it might be a good idea as a podcast to divide and conquer. Maybe we'll see if naturally some of the answers in this group, but there's gonna be some groups where we both just want to watch the same game. For this one, I'll say uh I would prefer to watch Team USA. I'm wearing the shirt now. I can't I can't not say that.

SPEAKER_01 43:02

Fair enough, fair enough. And I feel like you try to uh put me in a corner here, but I I would all I will probably watch the USA game in all reality.

SPEAKER_00 43:13

No shame if I didn't have to watch the USA game. Like it feels like I have to. If I didn't have to, I would prefer to watch the other.

SPEAKER_01 43:20

Yeah, no, you're right, you're right. But as podcasters, we have to obviously keep up with the USA. That is our main constituent on this podcast. So we'll probably find a way to watch one, stream one on the phone, second TV, that sort of thing. And I and I think, Sean, not to look too far ahead, but there might be a couple two TV situations, or TV and an iPad, TV and an iPhone uh situation. Looking at group E, Sean, we have Ciercell Ivory Coast and Ecuador, Germany. Just before we really break it down. To me, Ecuador may have been the biggest disappointment in this World Cup so far. No goals in two games, they don't look great. I thought this team, maybe not Dark Horse, but E. Round of 32, maybe a 16, maybe even a little bit of an eight run if they could put it all together. But this team's on the brink of elimination. They're gonna need to beat Germany in this game. However, Sean, I will not be watching that game because I will be at the Curacelle Ivory Coast game here in Philadelphia. So I will be watching our guy, Yande Monde, against Curacal, who can qualify with a win. So a really big game in Philadelphia. This one probably on paper did not look like the best matchup in the world, but uh a lot at stake in Philadelphia this Thursday.

SPEAKER_00 44:33

Yeah, Brandon Infantino finds his way to yet another World Cup match. It's unbelievable how many this guy's gotten to. I will be watching from the parking lot. So I'll be in Philly with you, Brandon, but I just can't make my way in. You know what I mean? I just can't. I'm priced out. I'm priced out. They said I had my I had this one circled because, as you mentioned, it didn't seem like on paper it was going to be the best game. Well, now curse out after tying Ecuador, and I need to issue a handout. This is just a bad segment for me. I said Ecuador was a dark horse to maybe make it semifinal. I thought they were so good defensively that they'd be able to get just enough goal production. I was so wrong. They couldn't score if we gave them five nets stacked on top of each other, these guys. They are brutal to watch an attack. I don't know what's going on. They weren't even that bad, I guess, against Curacao. They led to 15 some saves, which I mean, what are you gonna do? You just gotta tip your cap to the keep. But boy oh boy, does Ecuador now need to upset Germany? And even though Germany don't need it and they're wresting Muciala and they're wresting some other key players likely, they're still not gonna be easy to beat. They still want to top the group and keep momentum. So I don't know. Ecuador's in a bad spot, a real bad spot. A draw won't be enough. I still, I'm gonna stay true to myself. I'm still gonna watch the Ivory Coast. I can't here for two reasons. I don't want to watch Ecuador with the ball. I just don't want to sign up to do it. And and I need to have eyes on my elephants. So the Lefonse, they're they're my squad. They're not 100% safe yet. I I just want to see what they look like in this game. I want a dominant proper performance. You get to see Jan Diamante again. How lucky are you? And honestly, I would I'll say this. Jan, you had an assist in the last one. I don't think it was your best shift. A lot of people were saying he was great in that game. I thought he was actually pretty wasteful in a lot of his opportunities. He kind of squandered. It won't happen two times in a row. That was the Jan Diamante we saw at Leipzig that I mentioned to you, Brandon, where I'd watch him once and it was like, oh my god, he's unplayable. And then the next time it's like, whoa, Jan, I don't know what you're doing there. That was more of the latter in the last game. This game we're gonna get full display. I need a goal for the player pool too, Jan. If you don't mind, toss one of those in. Just I think we're gonna get a thorough performance from the Ivory Coast, who were good against Germany, but not great, and they just fell apart late in the game. Both of these games in this group are good. We're both gonna have eyes on the elephants.

SPEAKER_01 46:58

Yes, definitely the elephants. Sean, moving to group F, I think we'll be on the same page here as well. We have Tunisia against the Netherlands and Japan against Sweden. I'll definitely be watching Japan, Sweden. I assume the Netherlands will handle Tunisia. Tunisia's already out of the tournament, but we have Japan on four points and Sweden on three points playing for the second or third place spot. Uh the third place team, if it is Sweden on three points, could still probably go through. I think if Sweden win and Japan get third with four points, they'll almost definitely get through. So I think I'll watch that game. I I think that's the better of the two games. I can't imagine the Netherlands struggling with Tunisia, even with probably a rotated team. I think the Netherlands still do need a point, maybe, to actually clinch the group, but I can't see them struggling with Tunisia. So I'll be watching the other game.

SPEAKER_00 47:51

They do need a point because if Japan win, they would go to seven and Netherlands would be left with six. But I'm with you. Yeah, uh I don't know who would sign up to watch Tunisia. I'm not even sure Tunisians would sign up to do such a thing. They might have another manager in by the time that one kicks off. It's it's a no from me dog. I don't want to see any part of that. And I do love watching Japan. They were a dark horse who has looked a part so far for me. I was very high on them coming in. They have impressed. Let's go be aggressive. And I'm predicting, I'm gonna make I'm gonna stick my neck out a little bit here. I'm predicting an easy win for Japan over Sweden. Comfortable, I should say. Maybe not by several goals, but never really in doubt.

SPEAKER_01 48:32

Okay. Alright. I'm I'm writing it down now as you say it. So no need to write it down. I'm wrong quite often. I just need to I just need some fuel to come back to if uh if needed. Sean, I want to look ahead to group G now. Sean, this one for me is a two TV or it's a bring the TV from the other room into the room. We got we got two big games, uh, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, Belgium. Egypt is essentially through as they do have the tiebreaker. I mean, yes, Egypt is essentially through because they do have the tiebreaker with New Zealand, but Iran, Belgium, and New Zealand can all advance or be out of the tournament. Uh, I think New Zealand's the only one that has to win, otherwise they're out. But we got a little bit of mystique in this group, and and I'm interested to see New Zealand. I I have a little bit of a sweet spot for uh my guy Chris Wood, who has done okay so far in this tournament. Uh, Belgium hasn't really gotten off the off the starting blocks yet. Um do they just stink or are we just not playing well?

SPEAKER_00 49:40

Stink, Brandon. I said I was high on them and they stink. You don't need to write down my potential blunders. I make plenty and I bring them up. I another group I was high on, these guys stink. They were miserable to watch. I I did it's weird because I was so high on Belgium, and I said, and Goy in defense could be a guy who is really good in moments and then has some mistakes. And in the first match I was watching, and I was like, oh, he made a really, really good pass there, broke a couple lines, and then he had did something. I was like, whoa, dude, can't do that again. Well, game two, sent off red card, horrific play. I mean, it's his own fault, just awful on the ball, takes a guy down, swipes his face. Yeah, I really ugly stuff from him. I think it's a good thing he won't be playing for Belgium. They have failed to impress in almost any way, shape, or form. They're another team, and we'll talk about another one that'll bring it up at that point, where they're kind of caught between generations. And it's that golden age and a pipeline of new talent coming up, and there just creates this imbalance in the squad. And I don't know if they know who their best 11 is. They're not in a free-flow state. Some of the Kevin De Bruyne looks a bit off of it. He's not the Kevin De Bruyne of four years ago. It's tough. It's tough for my Belgians. I'm still holding out hope and a ticket for them to make the round of 16. I don't have much faith. But I will be watching that one. If I had to edge which side I would be watching, I just can't quit them quite yet. So I'd pick that one, but I do agree with you. It's a two TV or a lot to play for in this group.

SPEAKER_01 51:20

Yeah. This group has just really turned out to be a lot stinkier than I think we thought. Stinks. Obviously, teams have to win certain games. Otherwise, you get all a bunch of ties. But this group overall just yeah, it just hasn't really come to fruition. Um which stinks, but whatever. Group H. Sean, this might be another one. Keep the keep both TVs in the room. Uh we have Kate Baird in Saudi Arabia and Uruguay Spain. On paper, Sean, Uruguay, Spain is a game to watch. But if Cape Verde beats Saudi Arabia, they'll automatically be in the next round. Ball knowers where to watch. Ball knowers where to watch. Saudi Africa. And it's Cape Verde, maybe. Saudi Arabia Verde. Saudi Arabia is not a good team at all. And Cape Verde has shot the world in this World Cup, and they pretty not I don't say easily, because it's still a game, they still have to win 90 minutes, but they should probably win this game, or at least get a point. And a point could could help them. Maybe, maybe not, no guarantee, but I I think that might be the one. If you had to pick one, that one. The other game, Urguy Spain, will pretty much determine who will win that group. And if Spain win, and I believe Cape Verde win, Uruguay might go home.

SPEAKER_02 52:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:41

So Sean, that's why I'm a two TV guy. I agree with you though. Ball knowers will watch Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia. But this is another one I'd say if you have two TVs, bring them out because it'll be it'll be two good games to watch.

SPEAKER_00 52:55

Yeah, Brad, and I'm obviously a two TV guy as well. We're doing this bit, and we of course we're gonna have eyes on both. But yeah, this is it's a great group down to the last day. I don't know if we saw it coming. Cape Verde, I'm interested because you're right. On paper, they should, this is their easiest opponent, they should batter Saudi Arabia, who have been horrible. It's a big shift to go from being the hunter to the hunted or the hunted to the hunter. And that's what we're gonna see here. It's a completely different match that Cape Verde are gonna face. I'm still confident they're gonna get it done and over the line. And I'm confident that Spain will beat Uruguay. So real possibility that Uruguay's heading home. Marcel will be altered. The experiment just doesn't look great. They look good once in a while, and then some of the goals they concede are just, oh boy, that can't happen. A real howler from their keeper in the last match, Muslera. I'm not sure if he starts. He was pretty much at fault for both goals. I don't like what I've seen from him. I I really am interested in both games in this group. Obviously, it's hard to not watch Laminha Maul when he's on the pitch, so I will I will be watching both. I'm rooting hard for Cape Faraday.

SPEAKER_01 54:02

Yeah. Sean, you you mentioned Uruguay and another team that's disappointing. I think it was a little bit of a a jab the other night when uh they were missing chance over chance over chance, and then they showed Luis Suarez in the sweep watching the game, and I'm like, Yeah, gonna have him on the field. But he still scores, yeah. Yeah, I mean, he you gotta deal with his antics and his biting and and all his other stuff, but he he does put the.

SPEAKER_00 54:26

Darwin Nunez is just out there getting cardio. I mean, he's yeah, he's just getting getting a nice little run in.

SPEAKER_01 54:32

So, I mean, obviously, neither of us had this happening, but the reality is Kate Verde really could go through with Spain and Urgu and Saudi Arabia going home. So definitely, definitely want to watch. Sean, group I. This one is we have Norway and France, and then Senegal-Iraq. Uh, this is Norway and France is a battle for first place in the group. If there is a winner in the Senegal-Iraq game, they may get through with three points, uh, but not guaranteed, of course. I think Sean, I'll I'll be watching Norway-France. Just two heavy, heavy hitters. Norway playing this little dark horse, a little brother role, Erling Holland on the big stage. Can he do it? You mentioned a little bit of mind games before. You know, we love to see all the build-up to this, but that's gonna be the one I have my eyes on. If Senegal, Iraq, something big happens, you know, we can watch the uh extended highlights later, but I gotta keep my eyes on Norway, France.

SPEAKER_00 55:29

Brandon, I don't get too much right, but I did say take the over, listeners, in Senegal, Norway. Take the over. Hey, we had five goals in that one. It was an energetic affair on both ends. Not a ton of good defense was played, but I'm expecting a similar result in this France-Norway game. I want goals. I think France are gonna be able to pick apart that Norway defense, if we're honest. And I do think Norway will be able to catch France out at least once. I'm not so sure about two or three times, but I think it's easy to predict Erling Holland to find his way onto the score sheet. But I do think France are gonna play through Norway quite easily in that one. I expect to see them firing, and I think that game will be easy on the eye. I think it'll be fun to watch. Senegal, that it's so disappointing what we've seen from Senegal so far. I think they're another team I alluded to, Belgium being caught between generations. I think Senegal are in that same bowl. They keep trotting out Sadio Mani on the left-hand side, just doesn't have much in him. They have a guy in reserves, his name's Asan Jiao. He used to play at Real Betis, he now plays at Como. He is unbelievably good. He has struggles with fitness, like he can't stay healthy very well, but he does seem to be healthy now and he's just not getting any run. Him and Njai and Mbai should be the ones playing for Senegal. And I I just don't know if they know who their best team is. It's a true cop between generations. I don't love it, but I think if I had to pick, I'm with you. I'm watching Norway France. I want to see who wins the group, and I want to see a game that's easy to watch.

SPEAKER_01 56:59

You thinking about maybe a 4-4-1 kind of result for France in that game?

SPEAKER_00 57:05

You said you wanted high scoring. Yeah, I was thinking 4-1-3-2-4-2 type vibes.

SPEAKER_01 57:10

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 57:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 57:11

No, that would be that would be great, Sean. I agree with you. That'll be that'll be a fun one to watch. Even especially, I'd say for for casuals, you'll recognize some names. It should be a good open brand of football, attractive and fun to watch. So we'll definitely keep our eyes on that. Group J, Sean. We have Algeria, Austria in one game and Jordan against Argentina in the other game. I'll be watching the Algeria-Austria game. This game will determine second place in this group. I think it'll be a good battle, but I'll I'd lean towards Austria if I had to pick a winner. Um, I'd also assume Argentina beats Jordan fairly easily. I think this game, if I had the Algeria-Austria game, would be the one I would choose if I had to choose one of the two for that group.

SPEAKER_00 57:56

I'm I'm with you because Argentina have already won the group because of that Algerian result against Jordan. So we might not see Messi in that game. I it would be prudent not to. Maybe my guy Julian Alvarez can get a sniff. That'd be cool if he can get some minutes. But yeah, honestly, I'm interested in this Austrian side too. They looked pretty decent against Argentina out of possession. They really didn't give up much. It's just Argentina were hard to break down and they didn't have a ton in the way of creativity. So I think that game against Algeria will be a pretty good one, and there's a lot on the line. I think if I'm correct in saying that Austria gets second with a draw. So, because of their goal differential against Jordan in the first game, I think it was greater than the one goal that Algeria beat them by. So maybe there's some dark arts involved with Austria late just trying to play for a draw. But I do think Algeria are going to be punching in that one, and it should create a pretty good game to watch in a good environment.

SPEAKER_01 58:56

Two more groups left, Sean. We have group K. Uh, this one, I don't know if we'll be on the same page. We we might be, we may not be. We have Columbia Portugal in in one game and uh DR Congo against Uzbekistan in this the other game. I think I'll be watching that game. Uh the DR Congo Uzbekistan game. With a go right ahead. Gladly take that one. Thank you. With if DR Congo were to win that game against Uzbekistan, which I think they can, they'll be on four points and they'll likely advance to the knockout stage. Um they can't tie, because that won't help them enough. But if they win, they'll be on four. Colombia-Portugal will definitely be a good game, and then it'll determine who wins that wins this group. I I will say overall, I think I've been a little bit more impressed with Colombia than I thought I would be. Not still not perfect, but but decent. Uh and Portugal, we've mentioned the struggles, but maybe they're starting to turn the corner. But I I'll watch the other dog, the underdogs. I'll watch the DR Congo, Uzbekistan game, I'll watch Ronaldo's highlights afterwards.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:02

Go right ahead, Bran. I'm so happy you volunteered to take that one. You I wish my best to yell on Vissa, Noah Siddiqui, and the boys and the Congo, but I will be watching Portugal Columbia. I I was high on Colombia coming in. They have, I wouldn't say impressed, but they've lived up to expectations for me. They've been good, they've been hard to play against. They have a certain swagger about them. They're fans, bring a party. They're another group that travels well and they get amongst it. I like seeing that. There seems to be an energy about that group. Portugal, I do think, found their rhythm in that second game. They stopped just passing the ball back and forth in the midfield between Vitiny and Jraunev. They looked to get forward. They made some runs in behind. They started a lineup with wingers that were able to stretch the field a bit more. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Jao Felix, I thought what he brought was a different dimension. I would love to see some more Rafael Leal. He came on and scored a goal. I think Portugal are finding their footing, and I expect Portugal to win that one in a close, close affair. KG affair, too. I think there's a chance there's some fireworks in that one. But I do think there is some intrigue around the Congo. They're a chaotic team, and I would like these games.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:10

Yeah, yeah, that is true. That's all we want. We want two games where both matter and split how you want to split, listeners, but uh it's great when you have both games matter. And the final group, Sean, group L, we have Croatia Ghana and Panama, England. Again, I I apologize, listeners. I I have to show my hand. I'm gonna be at the Croatia Ghana game, so I will not have eyes on my beloved. Is this going to Philly too? Say that again. This one in Philly too. This is in Philly, yes. Yeah. No, I'm just a hometown guy. I only go to games in my own city. So England, my beloved English.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:47

I'll be outside again, listeners in the parking lot. In case you care. I'll be in the city, I just won't be in attendance. So maybe I can hear a goal go in. England, I apologize. I will not be able to watch your game, but Brandon also, I hate to interrupt, but would you like to issue a hand-up apology for England's performance as their number one fan?

SPEAKER_01 1:02:06

They're still in it, they're still gonna go through. And I don't think you need to at this point, but it was a gross display we saw. It was a gross display. It stunk of Southgate. It's stunk of Southgate.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:16

It did okay, it did.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:17

And and fine, I'll I'll do a light handout.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:19

I'm not gonna fully throw my hand up because I wouldn't ask you to, but I did I I do appreciate you saying, hey, we're watching the situation.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:26

Yeah, oh it's it's definitely being monitored internally. Yes, absolutely, Sean. No, no doubt about it. But my hand is shown, so I have I have to go to the other game, so I will not see this. Croatia Ghana, though, when the when the schedule came out, and again, thankful to have tickets to this game. I didn't think it was gonna really mean much. I thought it was kind of just gonna be like the last game, last group stage game in Philly. Cool, fireworks, great. See you later. But this is probably gonna determine second and maybe even first, uh, depending on the goal differential, if Ghana beat Croatia and if England again slip up against Panama. So I'm intrigued. Uh, I really think this will be a good game. Uh, I would love to see Luka Modric, you know, in person once, just to see that class, that quality, quality on the ball against a gritty Ghana side, who I think are hungry and and could could win this game. So you got a little bit of contrasting styles, but I think both teams are gonna want to get after it. So I'm I'm excited to see this one.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:26

Yeah, Brandon, honestly, I think you're in for a great one. And I have not been impressed at all with Croatia. They're the third team. I mentioned the other two that have caught between generations, and this was one I kind of expected. I didn't really like the vibes of the group heading in. I still don't think they know who their best 11 is, which is a problem when you're facing elimination in this final game. I I'm interested in Ghana. I did not think they had that defensive shift in them that they put on display against England. They kept a clean sheet in against Panama on the first round, first match day as well. Honestly, I'm expecting Ghana to pull a little bit of an upset and beat Croatia. And I think you're in for a treat in Philadelphia on Saturday. So that's that's a good one. I would be I would be watching that one anyway, honestly. I think England will bounce back and handle Panama pretty well who aren't playing for anything. Yeah. Although I don't think they should be ashamed of their showing at all. They lost two tough games, like last minute and then late on, where and they're also playing without two of their best players, Panama. I think that's worth mentioning. So tough on them, a bit unlucky, but a decent group that once again both games mean something coming down to the final day because we could see a world where Panama beat England and England don't win the group. So there's a lot of scenarios still at play, even if they're unlikely. I will have my eyes on the Ghana Croatia game. I hope that the Black Stars are able to get it. I agree with you, Sean.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:48

And you know, just in closing, I I feel like this group stage has really turned out to be pretty good. I'm looking at some of our predictions, and we're decent, not perfect, but I I think these games have turned out to be a lot closer. I think a lot of the teams that we sort of written wrote off before the tournament started have shown up. The the Cape Verdes of the world, the DR Congos of the world, even Panama, unfortunately, on the side of two tough results, have been playing well. So Sean, I'm I'm excited to see these final group stage games and and see where everything ends up. We're not listeners, we are not mathematicians, we are not gonna go into all the combinations and probabilities and statistics. But one thing we can definitely say is that the USA will play Bosnia on July 1st. Uh that is fully locked at the time of this recording. So that's good.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:42

You broke news to me because I did not know that was official, so I'm happy to hear that, Brandon. Good stuff. Uh uh, don't I'm I'm 99% listened to No, you you might be.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:52

I honestly just wasn't on Twitter or anything before, so uh because of the results today, they because they finished in third in group B in group B. Yes. Yes, Switzerland finished first, then Canada, then Bosnia, Herzegovina.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:11

Yes. I'm reading here, Brandon. There according to Henry Bushnell, who does great work, he said there is one scenario out of 330 where this is not the case, but he said it's almost 100% confirmed, just not quite. I'm not doing the full reading, but basically there's one out of 330 which seems extremely unlikely. But otherwise the US will be taking on Bosnia on July 1st.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:36

So okay I do apologize. You're correct. No you're correct. We will have confirmation in the next episode for sure. But Sean, what are you just just to sort of close out what are you looking forward to in this last group match day? Are there certain we mentioned the games are you expecting any fireworks? Are you what are you kind of looking forward to in this last round of games for teams?

SPEAKER_00 1:07:01

Yeah I don't know that I'm expecting fireworks, but I am rooting for them. I'm rooting for I hope to see some chaos. I'd like to see some of the Giants get a little bit worried. I would like to see you know those live potential matchup boards where we see oh if this result holds this will be England will be playing Brazil as a second place finisher. Things of that nature would be sick. I'm not so sure we'll get them but that's kind of what I'm rooting for in this I hope the GOATs the great players continue to rise to the occasion. I think the ones that are in matches that matter we will see that be the case. But yeah just kind of hoping for a one last group stage we get to enjoy all of the countries for one final time before we say goodbye to some others we lose some fans that have made their way to America just soak it all in for one last stretch here because we're about to enter a really rude awakening where I believe on Sunday there is one World Cup game. So listeners just be ready for that we're going to go from six a day where we're pumping out like everywhere you turn there's a goal going in to one match two matches a day it's going to be a rude awakening so I'm just trying to take it all in Brandon.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:05

I agree with you Sean and I I did notice that about Sunday's schedule and that's a little it's a little sad. We've done so much in the last three weeks and it is just coming to a screeching halt. Of course now these games are going to be juicier. They're going to be likely the better teams knockout winner go home football so it'll be exciting but uh we're we're definitely going to be leaning into the quality over the quantity beginning this weekend.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:30

So Sean thank you as always this has been another great episode any any final parting words for the group no Brandon I appreciate you playing host today you crushed it I I like not having that responsibility so that's great you get to free me up and let me just ramble on about nothing for a while. So I appreciate that always a pleasure listeners thank you for tuning in.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:56

Yes thank you Sean we we love your analysis so we we do appreciate you going into into depth about these games I feel like you're you have a good eye about you so we we appreciate that and I always learn from you so I definitely appreciate that as well listeners two baby blues Brandon that's what they are two baby blue eyes two baby blues that's just one they're two baby blues baby two baby blues but listeners thank you as always tell a friend to tell a friend be a friend like we mentioned last podcast free Endric as Sean likes to say no Scotland no party I don't know if he has any I don't know if he has any other ones to add but listeners as always thank you and take care of