S1 Ep13 | Unified Stars: GEORGIA TECH OR UGA???

The next episode of the Guuuzan show pits our podcasting duo against another daring double with Unified’s Alex Evans & Connor Mcilhinney! The unified team takes Brad & Joe on a journey through their history with the club, the improvement in their game under coach Jelleme, and the friendships they’ve forged along the way. As the title suggests there’s a little bit of a local rivalry brewing as some of our Unified team members head off to college... what side will you choose?

Transcript

SPEAKER_10 0:00

Like Lena told us that your little anti-dog is a very anti-dog. Give your world up at work. Put it on him.

SPEAKER_03 0:07

There's definitely a big rivalry I've seen going throughout the team.

SPEAKER_10 0:12

But what happens? Is he is he jawing, guys, at training? He's being like, yeah, that's a that's a dog.

SPEAKER_03 0:19

I mean, we'll see at practice. We we'll we'll see. He may he he may be hating on some of our teammates here.

SPEAKER_08 0:29

Just leaving a little bit extra on in the in the challenges and a couple hard tackles, you know? Yeah. You know, there's there's there's no sick em dogs out there, and he's just like, nah, not having that, you know, boom. A little slide tackle here.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

Just to it's all about the yellow jackets out there on that field.

SPEAKER_08 0:52

Well, welcome to a World Soccer Day edition of the Goozan show. I'm your host, Brad Gazan, sat next to me as always, Joe Freihoffer, and we've got two special guests in the studio with us, Mr. Alex Evans and Connor McAlaney. Guys, thank you very much for joining us on the show. It is an honor and a privilege to have you joining us, uh, two members of our unified team of Atlanta United. Um, so thank you for being here. Of course, yeah, super, super excited to be here. This is a pretty cool opportunity. Well, we're excited to have you, Joe. I know we've been uh we've been itching to get these guys in the podcast room. Yep. Um, obviously, it's an exciting time for our unified team. It's an exciting time for you guys right now. Um, you know, going back to now the the first game of the unified season, right? I know it there was a little bit of debate on how it finished. Uh little controversial at the end. We're still looking at the VAR. A little controversial. Um, but we're keeping the undefeated streak going and we're on to the next game going up going up to Philadelphia. Um, what was the the feeling after that first game?

SPEAKER_03 2:03

Um I think that shot was uh I'd say that was luck, because I think the game was already over. It was past the 60-minute mark, and that shot was just like unbelievable that they happened to hit that at the last minute.

SPEAKER_08 2:27

It it was a bit crazy for sure. Yeah. For sure. A little a little controversial. I mean, I know you were talking you were calling it from the booth, Joe. I was down on the field.

SPEAKER_03 2:35

Um And I believe there might have been like an offsides called that the rat.

SPEAKER_10 2:40

Alex checked the tapes afterwards too, huh? Yeah, I mean, listen, we looked at it in the studio afterwards just the other day, too. It looked like he made contact at guys for everybody at home. So the match between Atlanta United and Galaxy Unified was 3-2, right? Going into the 59th minute of two half-hour halves. So we were with what? It was 59.58, I think, when he made contact with the ball. We looked at it frame by frame. And it finished three to three. But the important part is, guys, you're still four years now unbeaten as a squad. Connor, what's it been like for you guys to continue this unbelievable streak that you're on?

SPEAKER_00 3:16

Uh it's been amazing. For uh for the most part, the core of the team has stayed the same. So it's been awesome to really build these strong friendships uh with all the guys and with all the girls on the team, and uh our chemistry has really improved over the years. So hopefully we can keep this undefeated streak going and make even more core memories.

SPEAKER_10 3:32

Safe to say the X Factor was goose on the touchdown. I've never seen this man move so fast. He was going over to the opposing coach and interviewing him just to distract everybody. Then the goal went in, and then you look and you see Alex just blitzing down the sideline as well. Was there a boost having goose right there? Come on, yeah. A little bit. Look at the guy.

SPEAKER_08 3:49

They're probably like, get this guy out of our way. You know, we're trying to focus on the game. He's overing to coach. Up and down, I'm sticking a microphone in his face.

SPEAKER_03 3:56

Marty just said, go celebrate with the team. And I was like, sure.

SPEAKER_08 4:03

Sure. What what does it mean for you guys to be able to represent our unified team?

SPEAKER_03 4:08

Um what it means is to like work as a team, communicate, and make sure we just have fun.

SPEAKER_08 4:17

You guys certainly do that every single time you guys are together. You know, Connor, you touch on it, the relationships that you guys have been able to build over the years. What what made you first want to get involved with the unified team?

SPEAKER_00 4:30

Yeah, so uh another partner we have on the team, Ike Eisworth, his uh little brother Jackson has Down syndrome. Um Ike was on the first soccer team I ever played on. Uh his dad was our coach, and then Jackson's always been there with us 24-7, um, almost as one of my best friends. Uh so just seeing his relationship with sports and him wanting to compete at a super high level is why I started uh NFU in high school. Um through that I was able to meet Marty. Uh he runs NFU, which is kind of like the grassroots level of Unified. Um then through that I got to college at Georgia Tech, and it's so close to the Elena training grounds. And I reached out to Marty and I really wanted to try out for this team and uh was able to make it happen.

SPEAKER_06 5:09

So let's go. Love that, man.

SPEAKER_10 5:11

And for everybody at home, North Fulton United, correct, Connor? So just another incredible local program that we have here in Atlanta. Let's go full picture. You guys have traveled all over with this unified team. Alex, I know you love to travel. You're fresh off of a cruise ship right now. We'll get into that in just a bit. Where would you say are some of your favorite places that the beautiful game has taken you so far?

SPEAKER_03 5:32

Um my favorite trip with Unified Hat to be Toronto.

SPEAKER_08 5:38

International. Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_03 5:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 5:40

Love that. What about Toronto was was so exciting?

SPEAKER_03 5:43

Um because it gave us a little bit more of a competition to play against them. It was an exhilarating game.

SPEAKER_10 5:53

It was another hat-trick, right? Hatrick Harrison. That guy just doesn't stop. Had a hat-trick in that game. Hat-trick against the galaxy, too. Could you guys put into words what he's been doing for the squad lately? I mean, how locked in is this guy pre-match? Is he not talking to anybody, just looking down at the ground? He is very quiet before the game.

SPEAKER_03 6:09

That first part of the galaxy game was a bit of a struggle for us till we saw that first goal from Xavier.

SPEAKER_10 6:16

And then from there just kind of unlocked everybody. Yeah.

unknown 6:19

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 6:20

You particularly, Alex, I feel like so. You're a FC Barcelona fan. I know that. You're always blitzing down the wing.

SPEAKER_03 6:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 6:26

Do you ever watch any La Mignon Maw highlights before you're in the middle?

SPEAKER_03 6:29

I just think my reason for like getting down the field is I'm eager to like I'm looking for that goal to happen. So with that speed is where I feel I'm eager to score, and that's that goal will be bound to happen in the Philly game. Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_08 6:53

I've I saw it firsthand. On the field, blitzing past me, flying down the side. I was like, whoa, go go on then. You know, willingness to get in the box, opposite side of the field, getting in there, uh, making things happen on the attacking side of the pitch. Absolutely love to see it, man. You know, when you guys are out there, what what does it mean to be able to represent and not only represent, but also inspire, right? Inspire so many other kids. Um, we talk about soccer being the world's game. We talk about, you know, World Soccer Day uh coming up here. And, you know, to be able to inspire so many kids, what is it what does that mean to you guys to be able to have that responsibility?

SPEAKER_00 7:36

Yeah, I think uh all of us on the team understand what it means to wear the Lane United badge. Um we see how many kids up from the youth level to the professional level, uh, all the hard work that gets put in. So it really does mean a lot um just to wear that badge. Uh and I think a lot of it also is showing kids that they can compete at the highest level and that there's nothing within them that that should stop them from having the opportunities uh as everyone else in the world. Um so I think that's what it means. It's kind of a beacon almost. We see a lot of uh supporters that comes to our game with intellectual disabilities, and it's it's super, super cool to see them cheering us on uh and some of the other amazing opportunities that Lena has given us, uh, including like we have our own scarf um that got released uh last season. I remember that was just a super, super cool opportunity. Um, that's so cool.

SPEAKER_08 8:21

I mean, I I know between Lena and Marissa and and just everyone within our our front office, they do so much to be able to not only promote but just support and everyone from you know Mr. Arthur Blank all the way down, filtering down, making the unified team such an initiative within the club and such a pillar of of this football club. Um, I think it's it's fantastic. And I love that you guys have been able to take that responsibility on because it is an honor to be able to wear the badge. Um, but then to be able to go out and do it with such a smile on your face, you guys do it every single time you're at practice, every single time you guys are together. I love the joy that you guys have when when you're out there competing.

SPEAKER_10 9:02

I think it's something that's contagious too. You guys touched on it just the pillar that the 17s, the fans of Atlanta United have been every signing day, they're there. Custom chance for you guys. When you hear your last name, go out there, put pen to paper with this guy next to you. What is that feeling like as you get to embark on another year?

SPEAKER_03 9:17

When we're signing those contracts, it's just uh another feeling that it's opportunity that we get to play on that field and do it with our teammates.

SPEAKER_08 9:33

To be able to do that at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the grass. I mean, that that was the World Cup grass, right? I mean, like there's only gonna be a handful of players that have been able, you know, will be able to say, you know, after this summer that they were on grass, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. How how cool was that to be able to be in the stadium, to have our supporters in there? What was that atmosphere like for you guys?

SPEAKER_00 9:57

Uh it was phenomenal. Um, like you said, how important it is, or how how rare it is almost to be able to do that. Uh, it feels kind of like I guess an opportunity that you would have. It's once of a lifetime. It kind of reminds me a little bit of the Olympics uh in Atlanta, just how people still talk about that. I I still see people everywhere in Atlanta wearing uh like volunteer merch. Um it kind of I don't know how, but it just ties back to that. Just a feeling of wow, this is a historical moment. Um I'm really really excited for the World Cup to be in Atlanta so cool.

SPEAKER_08 10:24

No, it's gonna be amazing. It's gonna be amazing. Any uh any early predictions? Putting them on the spot. Let's go. We're putting you on the hot seat. Who are we liking in the World Cup, guys?

SPEAKER_00 10:34

Uh I'm loving the United States. Let's go! Let's go. Control room. Q the anthem, let's go. I'm here for it. I'm here for it. I think Spain will go pretty far as well.

SPEAKER_03 10:42

Yeah, I think Spain's gonna go pretty far.

SPEAKER_08 10:45

Definitely. They I mean, they've got such a young team, such talented players, Laminham all. I heard, you know, he's been watching you, Alex, you know, running up and down that plank, taking some pointers. Uh uh, I'm I'm expecting to see a little bit of you and his game. I'm just saying. Okay.

SPEAKER_10 11:04

Oh, guys, we're gonna take a look at the monitor right here. So we've got some of your favorite moments so far with Unified. A couple of these are from Media Day as well. So, Connor, I guess we'll start with you. Do you have a favorite moment with Unified if you could pick one so far?

SPEAKER_00 11:19

Um, it really is hard to choose one. I would I would say something probably off the field. Uh last year when we were in LA, um the LA team was nice enough to take us to their beaches, uh and we played uh volleyball and and soccer tennis out there. Um I think that was really beautiful, just them uh sharing a piece of their city with us, and it was it was a very fun uh Alex, how about you?

SPEAKER_03 11:45

It's hard to just choose one moment because we've been to so many places, but I definitely think seeing the beaches with the LA team was definitely a good moment that I think we've spent with the unified team.

SPEAKER_10 12:02

Yeah, I remember that that afternoon super well. I was trying to keep the camera not getting too sandy, but that was really cool. Let's go into the team dynamic a bit more. So, you guys, we've already got you junior year complete at Georgia Tech. Yes. You'll be heading there next year, Alex, which is fat. It's just awesome stuff. Congratulations to you. Inside the team, it seems like there's either a tech or a UGA, team tech or team dog. Yes. And it sounds like Lena told us that you're a little anti-dog. Is that true? Getting your world up at R. Put it on.

SPEAKER_03 12:32

There's definitely a big rivalry I've seen going throughout the team.

SPEAKER_10 12:39

But what happens? Is he is he drawing guys at training? He's being like, yeah, that's a that's a dog's touch.

SPEAKER_03 12:46

I mean, we'll see at practice. We we'll we'll see. He may he he may be hating on some of our teammates here.

SPEAKER_08 12:57

Just leaving a little bit extra on in the in the challenges, a couple hard tackles, you know. Yeah. You know, there's there's there's no sickum dogs out there, and he's just like, nah, I'm not having that, you know, boom.

SPEAKER_01 13:08

A little slide tackle here just to just it's all about the yellow jackets out there on that field. Yes.

SPEAKER_08 13:14

Full of pride. I love that. That's amazing. Um, well, I know we we we touched a little bit on some travel, you know, recently back from uh a cruise, right? Yes. Where, you know, when when you look at obviously the the places that you've been with the Unify team, the places that you've been, you know, personally with your family, you know, are you guys more mountain vacationers or beach vacationers? Where where where are you going when you get a chance to go on vacation?

SPEAKER_03 13:43

I'd say the beach is more of me. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:48

I agree, I agree. Uh I love the beach, love the beach a lot. Um, yeah. Well, yeah, I feel like we haven't done too many mountain trips with uh Unified to kind of compare, but gotcha. Yeah, maybe we can work on the little Easter, eh?

SPEAKER_08 14:01

Maybe we're gonna end up out in Denver or show man. Salt Salt RSL, yeah.

SPEAKER_09 14:07

You know, I know. We would head out to the Salt Flats with the team.

SPEAKER_08 14:12

I love it. We're we're we're expanding horizons around here. We're we're just about giving opportunities and helping you guys see the see the country, see the world, you know, going international to Toronto. The options are endless.

SPEAKER_10 14:25

Speaking of seeing the world in a different way, so Alex, I don't know if you know this, but Brad is a new puppy dad, just like he was telling us, stayed up until three in the morning the other night because he was whimpering trying to go out. Do you have any dog advice for Brad and his new puppy?

SPEAKER_03 14:40

That's not in my uh jurisdiction.

SPEAKER_10 14:45

Not in your wheelhouse. You let you let everybody else in the family take him out? Yeah. You're just there for the cuddles, just the pets after practice. That's what it's all about.

SPEAKER_08 14:52

He's the good guy. I'm see, I'm the bad guy when it got, you know, I gotta wake up in the middle of the night, take him out, you know. Alex is sound asleep, you know, just a couple cuddles in the morning, I'm sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 15:02

Love that. Can you tell everybody about Audi, who you have at home, your golden doodle?

SPEAKER_03 15:06

Um he's uh very, very sometimes it he's a people's person. Let's just say that.

SPEAKER_10 15:14

We're gonna have him on the show next time.

SPEAKER_09 15:16

Can we get him on the pod? First dog on the pod? Bring him into the room. You know, it's the first time we've got two guests at once filling up the table. We'll have to we'll have to bring him in. Let's go.

SPEAKER_10 15:25

So if we think about the team dynamic as well, we figured that we play a little bit of who's the most within the squad. Does that sound good to you guys? So we're just gonna list off some questions here, and you guys are gonna tell us who's the most of these categories. You ready? Okay. Number one, who's the best vibes, guy, or gal in the team?

SPEAKER_00 15:44

I'll go with uh Camilla or Marty. Uh yeah, a lot of high energy, a lot of jokes.

SPEAKER_10 15:51

Camille's still throwing up the devs every day.

SPEAKER_03 15:55

I'd have to agree with that one.

SPEAKER_10 15:57

No, Alex Everly. I thought for sure you guys would say Alex Everly. He's up there.

SPEAKER_08 16:02

I thought for sure he would have been number one.

SPEAKER_03 16:04

He's up there. He's up there.

SPEAKER_10 16:06

Big, big shout out, Camille. Who has the best boots or is best dressed on the squad?

SPEAKER_00 16:13

I'll go with Xavier. Uh he's always wearing some crazy stuff. I remember um towards the end of the season last year, he actually wrapped his car with like Christmas lights. Uh he would just like duct tape him to the roof of his car.

SPEAKER_03 16:26

Yeah, I think it's Xavier.

SPEAKER_00 16:29

I don't know about best dressed, but most uh most flashy dressed.

SPEAKER_03 16:33

Yeah, most flashy.

SPEAKER_00 16:34

Most most vibrant, he's out there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 16:37

Christmas lights duct tape to the car? Are we talking just across the roof? All along the spot?

SPEAKER_03 16:41

All over, all over.

SPEAKER_09 16:42

We need we need to we need to track down a picture of this. It's out there somewhere. Lena's on it.

SPEAKER_08 16:46

Lena's on it.

SPEAKER_09 16:47

We we need to find a picture of that. That would be amazing. Most likely to become a coach just like Marty one day.

SPEAKER_00 16:53

Uh my goodness. These are hard.

SPEAKER_03 16:58

Yeah, these are actually kind of hard.

SPEAKER_00 17:00

Uh I'll go Anthony. Um I feel like Anthony likes the game a whole lot and he knows a good amount of it. Um just a moment.

SPEAKER_03 17:06

There's probably a few answers to this one.

SPEAKER_00 17:09

Yeah, definitely. Who are you thinking?

SPEAKER_03 17:12

Um I honestly don't know.

SPEAKER_08 17:18

Coach Marty, you're uh your job's safe. Exactly. I was gonna say you're you're not going anywhere. Exactly.

SPEAKER_10 17:24

Ooh, here we go. This is a fun one. Most likely to order room service at the team hotel, Alina's face if these members can see your face right now.

SPEAKER_00 17:33

I'll go Ike, Bartlett, and Austin. Uh I can see all three of them doing it.

SPEAKER_03 17:37

Uh I'd say Xavier's most likely to do that.

SPEAKER_00 17:41

They're just over here throwing guys under the bus.

SPEAKER_08 17:43

Hey, remember, this one's gonna see you this after the tour. Um That is so cool. What's the what's the what's the what's the what's the ruling when it comes to to food service uh room service? Not allowed. Not allowed. That's what we heard as well. That's what we heard as well. But you know, sometimes you gotta live, right? You gotta be out there, you know.

SPEAKER_00 18:04

Maybe ask for forgiveness, not for approval. Exactly.

SPEAKER_10 18:07

Who's the most positive person on the squad?

SPEAKER_00 18:11

I'll go with Daniel Urshansky or Alex, just uh with all of his giggles and laughter.

SPEAKER_03 18:18

You can't forget Camilla. Or Camilla.

SPEAKER_10 18:21

True, true. Who would survive the longest stranded on an island?

SPEAKER_03 18:25

Oh, that's an interesting one.

SPEAKER_00 18:28

I would say D. I think D. I feel like he's pretty resourceful. Um Yeah, I don't know what would take him down, but I feel like he's only last a while.

SPEAKER_10 18:38

No messing about for him. Absolutely. All right, guys, last two. Second to last, who are you letting on the aux cord to play music pregame in the locker room? There's gotta be somebody, right? Somebody already have the aux?

SPEAKER_00 18:51

Oh, I would say Marco, uh, for the most part. He's got his experience over in Denmark. I feel like he knows it gets us kind of riled up. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_10 18:58

Coach Marco, what's he putting on?

SPEAKER_00 19:01

It's like Drake. Uh it's always like Drake or um just like random rappers that you've never heard of. Nice. I love that.

SPEAKER_10 19:09

Final one, guys. Which teammate have you seen grow the most as a player and a person since you've met them through Unified? That's a deep one.

SPEAKER_03 19:18

I think for me, I think the person who's grown the most to me is Xavier.

unknown 19:25

Wow.

SPEAKER_00 19:26

Yeah, I would honestly say uh Alex right here. Um I feel like he's gotten I've only been on the team for about three years, but I feel like he's improved uh just an insane amount every single year um throughout practice. And I feel like socially you've been able to form a lot of super, super strong friendships throughout the team, and um it's been pretty cool to see.

SPEAKER_08 19:44

Love that. I was gonna say how you know, we're we're asking about teammates, but yeah, you know, out Alex, how would you describe your growth? You know, obviously hearing Connor talk about you is is inspiring to me and to Joe.

SPEAKER_03 19:57

My growth overall is because I've been moving a lot on the field. I've moved from defense to my offense. I just think it's incredible for how resilient I am on the field and the fact that I'm just willing to do anything to help the team.

SPEAKER_10 20:18

Yeah, absolutely. And it's not just on the field, Alex, it's who you are off the field. The whether you are on the bus with everybody, how positive you are. I think uh Lena, anybody in this program can say it's been really cool to see you grow up and for both of you guys too. You're not just class on grass, you're class off of it as well, which is real cool. I like drop the mic, baby. Guys, the World Cup trophy was just here in Atlanta, and it wasn't just with Brand Kuzane, it was with Carlos Pujol as well, which what a what a backline pairing that would have been if he was playing in the field. What was that like for you guys to see the World Cup trophy, the one that the guys are gonna lift up here in July, come right here to the 404?

SPEAKER_03 20:53

I think the feeling was amazing to see it here.

SPEAKER_00 20:56

I I agree, it felt like like a little piece of history. Um but I honestly think it was even cooler to see Carlos and have him to speak to us. It was really amazing, like able to go back and look at footage of his game uh and just see like wow, I can't believe that person stood five feet across me without any bodyguards or anything. Um kind of like humanizes uh a lot of the grades a little bit in some way.

SPEAKER_08 21:17

I mean, I was you know, I was fortunate enough. We were up there talking, and you know, I was trying to emphasize to not only the Unify team, but the entire group of kids that were there that day, and you know, just how great Carlos Puyo was as a player. I mean, yeah, you know, legend, iconic, world class. I I tried to explain to my kids later that day, you the best defender at that time in the world, in world football and world soccer, won everything, uh just unbelievable career. And when you think of somebody on the field as great as he was, you sometimes find it hard or difficult to think about the person off the field. And like you just touched on, Connor, you know, he was such a gentleman. Kind, so courteous to everyone, whether it was gracious with his time and speaking with everyone or taking pictures or autographs, he was fantastic. And you know, as your little saying, you know, class on the grass as well as off it. Um, but that that brings us to to kind of our next point. And you know, being being a winner, being a competitor isn't just about on the field, it's it's off the field, it's being an inspiration to your teammates, being a good teammate. Um, and you know, guys, we were so honored and and privileged to have you guys come and join the show here. Uh, but we also had a a little bit of a reason to bring you guys. Um you guys are an inspiration to not only your unified members, Home Depot, but right here. And you know, we we have a segment of the show, and it is the Home Depot mailbag. And I'm cutting off Joe here. This was delivered on time by the Home Depot, baby. Let's go. Thank you so much, Home Depot. And so we we put it out to our fans and we said, hey, write in some questions. And okay, we're gonna what do we have here, Brian? We've got a couple questions for you guys. Okay. All right for you guys. So I'm gonna pass this along to you. And I'm gonna pass this along to you. And we want you guys to open those up. Go ahead. You guys can open those up. And these are just a little insight from our supporters.

SPEAKER_00 23:33

Oh my goodness, that's awesome. Did you read it?

SPEAKER_10 23:35

Alex, we'll have you read it out if you could to everybody. What does it say?

SPEAKER_00 23:39

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 23:41

Hey, Alex, we heard you love to travel for your next trip. How does it sound to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina as a unified all-star?

SPEAKER_02 23:54

Yeah! Let's go!

SPEAKER_08 24:00

That'd be cool. That's awesome. You guys are going to be Atlanta United's unified all-stars going to Charlotte, North Carolina, taking part in all of the festivities uh during All-Star Week in Charlotte. It's gonna be amazing. Wow. We couldn't think of two better uh individuals, both on and off the field. Uh, on and off the field. Exactly. Um, but no, we we couldn't be happier for you guys. You guys are fully deserving of this accolade and um just so proud of you guys. So, congratulations from everyone at Alan United. Congratulations from everyone at the goose and show. Um, and thank you guys so much for for joining us on the podcast. Uh, I know we've got uh a little something. Lena step on in.

SPEAKER_10 24:48

Show off the new kids, guys. Let's go.

unknown 24:52

Alex.

SPEAKER_10 24:54

Show them off to your cameras, guys. You got one right here. Let's go.

SPEAKER_00 24:57

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_10 24:58

Unified all-stars, baby! Congratulations!

SPEAKER_08 25:03

Amazing, guys. Sensation. Don't crush it. Fellas? How are we feeling?

SPEAKER_03 25:07

Um I definitely think that I've been waiting for this to happen for a good while. Lamin mentality.

SPEAKER_00 25:14

Lamin mentality. Uh yeah, I'm very excited. Um I know Ike was able to go last year and he told me how much of a fun time he had and a lot of cool kids he was able to see on different teams. So I'm I'm very, very excited. What are you what are you thinking about Charlotte? You excited for that?

SPEAKER_03 25:27

Um I've known they've came here, but I've never been there. Never been there. So this should be definitely quite an experience and get to meet some new people from other teams. And go get that dub too, right? Yes.

SPEAKER_10 25:48

Before we go, guys, in honor of World Soccer Day, for all of those kids who are thinking about not just trying out for Atlanta United Unified, but are thinking about kicking around the ball for the first time, what would you say to them about what this game has meant to you?

SPEAKER_00 26:03

I think it means a lot. Uh it's the beautiful game. Uh, I can enjoy it at all ages, and I think uh if you're thinking about trying out for a team, um I guess not trying is always the same as failing, so you might as well try.

SPEAKER_03 26:16

Well um to try is to work hard and put all the dedication you can to the game and to succeed in what you're trying to do. So, yeah.

SPEAKER_10 26:38

Awesome, man. You've done just that. Congrats, guys. All stars. First ever double on the Guzan show. Were you guys expecting that?

SPEAKER_03 26:45

Beyond it, really. Uh, to be honest. No, I wasn't expecting that.

SPEAKER_00 26:51

Excited too, two yellow jackets and no bulldogs, so that's the rivalry continues.

SPEAKER_10 26:57

Yeah, strays everywhere.

SPEAKER_08 26:59

No, amazing, guys. Well, you guys have put the work in on the field, off the field, the same. And uh, like I said, we couldn't be uh happier for both of you. So congratulations once again.

SPEAKER_00 27:08

Perfect. Thank you. Yeah, thank you for having us on your show. This has been awesome. Um, super, super cool to talk with y'all. Love it.

SPEAKER_08 27:14

Thanks, guys.

unknown 27:15

Thank you.

SPEAKER_08 27:17

Well, Joe, what a fantastic episode of having Alex and Connor on and being able to give them that positive news of being all-stars, being able to represent a land united unified team at the All-Star Game in Charlotte. It's gonna be a fantastic experience. I know we've had all-stars in the past, uh, but as Alex mentioned, he's been uh looking forward to this for quite some time.

SPEAKER_09 27:40

And so it's uh it's a dream come true, and I know they're gonna enjoy it. The Lamin mentality was showing off right there, he's fully expecting it.

SPEAKER_10 27:46

No, great uh great moments we shared with them. Big shout out to Lena Marissa, everybody who makes everything possible with the Unified Program, head coach Marty Jellamy, four years now uh running that they are unbeaten, which is pretty sweet. And a big shout out to the Home Depot for making that moment possible as well, delivered always on time, and we got a whole lot more to get into today. And before we do that, Matt, I think you we have a special edition of the mailbag today, delivered on time by the Home Depot. Hand up here, Matt. We'll get into it in a second. But as a Georgia resident of three and a half years, I gotta be better. Yeah, Matt, give us some context here as to what happened.

SPEAKER_05 28:21

So I got a few texts and um about how you pronounced a city that was someone submitted a question from last week. And yeah, you can tell you're maybe not a Georgia resident here or a Georgia, you know, lifelong or you are a resident now, but uh you you pronounced uh it is DACULA. Uh it is not DACU, Georgia, it's Dacula.

SPEAKER_10 28:45

DACULA.

SPEAKER_05 28:46

So hey, what I did, uh I thought I would just uh mess with your brain some more. So for the mailbag today, I actually um instead of putting questions in there, I put four I put some more Georgia cities in there. Uh-oh. So you could uh one, embarrass yourself when you read them the first time. And two, we can uh correct you and give you a little Georgia education here. So you guys can you guys can trade, uh give maybe give each other two. All right, two and two, we'll divide it up. Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 29:14

All right. Today's remixed edition of the Home Depot mailbag, always delivered on time by the Home Depot. Oh my goodness. You want to kick it off?

SPEAKER_08 29:23

Um Yeah, I'll I'll I'll start us off. I'll yeah, we'll show the we'll show the camera. Show the camera first, and then we'll we'll give our um pronunciation. I could be in trouble for one of these. Good luck, buddy. Maybe two. Um, right, to start us off, then we're gonna go. Can you guys see that? Yeah, perfect. I'm gonna go with Vienna, Georgia.

SPEAKER_07 29:49

Correct. Yes, all right. No, that is incorrect. Oh wait a minute. You can't say correct and then say incorrect.

SPEAKER_05 29:56

I think my mic, I think my mic was unmuted on the A. Oh no, this is a shame. This is a shame. It is not pronounced like the capital of Austria. It is actually Viana. Viana, Georgia.

SPEAKER_07 30:10

I I I need some clarification here. I need I need someone besides Maddie to pull up, to pull up a ruling. Good representation.

SPEAKER_08 30:20

Ravi. Viana. Well, all right, over one.

SPEAKER_10 30:27

Everybody at home, too, be playing along with us. Keep us accountable here. Oh, here we go.

SPEAKER_08 30:31

All right.

SPEAKER_10 30:31

Oh, show the microphone again. Number two?

SPEAKER_05 30:36

I asked to get one. Good luck. Okay.

SPEAKER_10 30:41

I mean good luck, buddy. I'm gonna say Aucton, Georgia. Silent H.

SPEAKER_05 30:49

Silent S. Uh. No, that is uh very incorrect. It is actually Houston.

SPEAKER_04 30:59

Who's Houston? Hooshton. Yeah. I don't know who say Houston, it's Houston. Hey, Houston.

SPEAKER_10 31:07

Big shout out to our listeners in Houston, Georgia.

SPEAKER_05 31:10

Good people up there.

SPEAKER_08 31:11

Good people up there. Hey, love that. Love that. Um all right, back to me. And we're gonna. This is gonna be difficult.

SPEAKER_06 31:21

This this could be difficult here.

SPEAKER_05 31:24

Uh, you're pretty close, bro. Okay, okay. I'll take it. You're pretty close.

SPEAKER_08 31:37

Oh, he's gonna give it a like a technical technicality or something like that.

SPEAKER_05 31:41

You're in the ballpark. This is one of my favorite Georgia Cities. This is uh Hey Hira.

SPEAKER_10 31:46

Oh hey Hira.

SPEAKER_05 31:48

Hey Hira. Hey Hyra, okay. Yeah, not bad. Yeah, that's pretty solid.

SPEAKER_09 31:52

I'll take that effort.

SPEAKER_10 31:53

All right, here we go. That's another one that's a little doozy. Oh, real place. Oh I mean, I know what I want to say, yeah, but that's not what it is. Are you sure? No. Be confident, be confident, be confident. Stunz up. Cairo.

SPEAKER_05 32:18

Oh man. And that is that is uh Wait, wait, wait, hold on.

SPEAKER_07 32:23

Can you can you just do it one more time, please? Cairo.

SPEAKER_05 32:28

Well, that is uh The first attempt was Cairo! You know, this is uh hey, this is the we we ought to get John Nelson, our friend John Nelson. He knows all these mascots, but Cairo High School, it's Cairo. Cairo, class uh and they are the but it's great, they're the syrup makers.

SPEAKER_10 32:45

Good afternoon.

SPEAKER_05 32:46

They're the syrup makers.

SPEAKER_10 32:47

Here we go. So here's another one. Say it again. Uh Matt, what are they?

SPEAKER_05 32:51

The what makers? Syrup makers. No.

SPEAKER_06 32:55

Syrup.

SPEAKER_10 32:57

Syrup.

SPEAKER_06 32:58

Syrup.

SPEAKER_10 32:59

Syrup.

SPEAKER_06 33:00

Syrup.

SPEAKER_10 33:00

Syrup.

SPEAKER_06 33:01

What is it? I say I say syrup. It's you say syrup. I say syrup. Syrup. The syrup makers. The syrup.

SPEAKER_10 33:07

Syrup.

SPEAKER_06 33:10

I don't even know what I'm here anymore. What is going on? I don't even know what I'm here anymore.

SPEAKER_08 33:14

Uh all our listeners, chime in. Let us know your thoughts if there's any other cities out there uh here in Georgia that we are mispronouncing because I'm guessing there are quite a few.