Latest / Tectonic Takes / Episode 173: Swirling Transfer Rumors
Transcript
- Tectonic Takes: What's up Quakes fans? We are back with another episode. We are in our World Cup break, so we're not recording every week. ⁓ but this will be this week's episode. On the Docket today we have to talk about a little bit about the World Cup. We're gearing up for that to start very soon. ⁓ but we also in Quakes News we have ⁓ a few transfer rumors to look into and then we will, you know, talk a little bit about what team is gonna look like without Nico because even though he you know is gonna come back from injury pretty soon it's gonna be a month or two after the break ends without him still and ⁓ obviously he's a big part of our ⁓ you know plans going forward. ⁓ Devin, ⁓ you haven't been here in a while. how have you been? You've been busy. Yes, every every day is a new day and ⁓ just filled with different activities. it's it's yeah, like you said, been quite busy. ⁓ hard at work. Every weekend's kind of like a a new ⁓ expedition adventure out when in like a new hiking trail and and meeting new friends, people. ⁓ we actually have ⁓ our a buddy from Switzerland here ⁓ who just got back from a a long biking trip. So we get him on the show. ⁓ Get him on He he he enjoys the secrecy. But ⁓ yeah, no, ⁓ I'm happy to be back and talking with you, Abram, about, you know, tectonic takes related material. I don't know if you got to see any of the episodes ⁓ while you were gone. I know that for some of the time you didn't have internet. But ⁓ I think the main takeaway ⁓ for for anyone watching those was Nico's injury it Like, we know that it's a recurring injury, but it's not one that you can easily recover from. Are you worried about that at all? Like, do you think that like 'cause Sas says like even even if ⁓ his injury's over, he could hurt it the first time he's back on the pitch. First time back in training, you know. So ⁓ where are you on on on, you know, concern levels for Vernico? ⁓ well I think the first time he got injured, he didn't have surgery for that. He kinda just went through like a full recovery process. and kinda hope for the best. But this time, you know, Nico went through the whole surgical process, made sure that everything's put back in place where it needs to go, and then kinda recover the muscles, joints, etc. ⁓ in in the right positions. And and maybe this is the recovery needed to prevent any future groin injuries ⁓ in the future. So ⁓ I'm not entirely worried about Nico's injury. I am worried about the recurrence ⁓ and the possibility of it happening, but I think that's at like a thirty percent level. I I'm not exactly too worried at Nico striking up another injury again and and us having to, you know, ⁓ scramble for a replacement. ⁓ actually one of the one of the transfer rumors is a potential Nico replacement ⁓ for the time being, because I know for sure Bruce Arena and and the coaching staff are not willing to wait a couple of months after returning from the World Cup break ⁓ to see Nico back on the field. We want to make an immediate an immediate impact as a contender for the sh ⁓ supporters shield. ⁓ so, you know, are we expecting to see a Nico replacement in the off season, quote unquote offseason summer break? ⁓ I'm not exactly sure. It looks kind of likely, but also I don't think we can afford to wait for Nico to return for us to do anything. So I think my worry on that regard of having a possible replacement come in, ⁓ temporarily or, you know, full time, ⁓ kind of puts less stress on the fact that, you know, if Nico does get injured, then hey, we'll have s another ten, in either backup or ahead of Nico ⁓ for you know, for the rest of the season. So, you know, in that regards I'm all right. ⁓ you know, how are how are you walking into this, Abram? Yeah, I mean I think well, given the information Saz gave us, it's a lot more severe. Like this isn't like ⁓ a FIFA injury where it's like three months, he's back, good to go. It's like this is a lifelong thing that he might have to deal with. Like he has to change how he walks. You know, it's like that big of a deal because of how much you use your groin and how it came off of his bone. ⁓ and like, you know, it Saz got me a little bit more worried. I'll I'll I'll be real. ⁓ but you mentioned the the potential ⁓ rumors coming in to replace him. I think the one you were alluding to was Piero Kispe, ⁓ a Peruvian ⁓ twenty four year old, can play winger, play attacking mid, ⁓ pretty versatile attacking player. ⁓ used to play for Pumas in Liga MX, is currently on loan at Sydney FC. ⁓ not a super high level of play in Australia if we're being honest. But obviously he does have Liga MX experience. ⁓ not not super old either. Twenty four isn't you know is still considered somewhat young. So I I'm assuming that they're trying to get him some more playing time. And whether it's a loan that we bring him in on or a full transfer, I think it's a good idea because like I was saying earlier the Nico's injury is kind of an unknown quantity. ⁓ or at least we're not sure about it and how much it could affect the rest of the season, not just, you know, his his next two months. so I think it would be good. I think that ⁓ you know, we've been talking in the Discord. Whether Nico's ready or not, we we don't want to take that chance. We want to make sure that we are prepared for any occasion. ⁓ so making a move like this could be You know, really beneficial, just just insurance, ⁓ a a really good caliber player, to come and help us in the in the midfield where you know, we we have had Nick Fernandez play pretty well there, but I think you'd agree, Devin, he looks good but it's not like it doesn't feel like we can just depend on him and have him just like slap in there and just you know, be a hundred percent ready to go. Yeah, as much as I appreciate Nick Fernandez's contributions to this team, he's not first team quality. And I think there's there's some aspects to his game, whether it be on the ball skill or off the ball material that he needs to work on to become at Nico's level. And and I think he has that capability to to reach Nico's current level. but I think that takes time, a lot of time, and a lot of practice. ⁓ so expecting anything from Nick Fernandez for the next like year and a half to reach that quality. I think is optimistic. so you know, it it is it is possible. It is possible. ⁓ off in the off season he could make a couple of those those changes to his game and all of a sudden we see a new Nick Fernandez. I mean, he looked pretty good versus ⁓ Seattle anyway, at least at the start. ⁓ and there were a couple of other big moments that that he's had, ⁓ impactful moments in the game, but Again, we're we're talking about moments and what we need is a player from start to finish to impress. ⁓ and unfortunately I think Nick has a ways to go to complete that. Do you have any, you know, similar thoughts on that? Yeah, no, I a hundred percent agree. I think that Nick Fernandez looks very good. Like we're not complaining about having to use Nick Fernandez. It's just that Nico was an all star level caliber ⁓ center attacking midfielder this season. And, you know, not having that has been very painful for the way we play. ⁓ Ronnie Vieira's has been like we were very reliant on the way that ⁓ Nico plays. We were playing everything went through him and so the way that we were playing, if he's not on the field, it really hurts us. And like I said, Nick Fernandez looks very good in moments. ⁓ he's just a little bit green, but you know, all credit to him and coming in basically a rookie year for him, you know, the second year in the league. ⁓ he looked very good, but we kinda need to bridge bridge the gap in quality between Nick Fernandez and Nico Chairis. ⁓ and I think Pierre Kispe is probably a a statement of intent to do that. ⁓ to just keep the level high ⁓ and see out the rest of the season. The second out of three players that we have been rumored to be interested in. This one is a striker. David Romero ⁓ plays for Tigres in Liga MX. Again, ⁓ transfer value of five point eight million. ⁓ no word on how much how close to that we'd actually be paying. ⁓ twenty three years old Argentinian ⁓ looks very good. ⁓ from what I've heard he has a similar output to Preston Judd's current form. ⁓ and for me I'm like, hey, if we can bring in another striker that has really good quality, I think that would be a very good ⁓ signing this season because Preston Judd he's looked super good. ⁓ probably our most important player so far without Nico. ⁓ just because he keeps scoring goals regardless, right? But he also has looked banged up. ⁓ he he went off ⁓ in the last game, you know, hurt. ⁓ j in in previous games to that, in the Kajestia schedule he's been seen limping. He really had to, you know, leave it all out there to to make sure that he made it to this break unscathed and barely unscathed, you know. ⁓ so having a good option to rotate at striker with would be huge because right now it's really just him or ⁓ Adima Bua and really it's not Adimabua, it's Buddha. We just shove Buddha up there and see what happens and I haven't I haven't liked Buddha at Stryker so far. He hasn't been like, you know, super threatening. He's been good at hold up play and and stuff like that, but he he's not at the level a Judd is. So, you know, again keeping that level the same, bridging the gap between the the first man and the next man, I think this would be a really good signing if we were to do it. What do you think, Devin? Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing David Romero come to the earthquakes, at least just to keep Preston Judd at a high performing level. You know, if you want that competition, you want the internal competition than an external competition and and those two guys fighting for that that starting spot at the nine, I think would contribute to a lot of ⁓ goals. But, you know, maybe Bruce Arena has another ⁓ plan up his sleeve and he'd would, you know, start with like a two striker formation and both Judd and Romero would play with each other. ⁓ you know, I'd I think that would be ⁓ quite entertaining, maybe not in favor for the Earthquakes fans, but ⁓ I think when you have two players with a very similar playstyle as a a singular nine, ⁓ I think it would it would lead to to tensions on the field. But ⁓ that's personal opinion. That's kind of just You know, that's just me speculating. ⁓ but you know, at twenty three years old, five point eight million dollar market value, we haven't really seen a player in connection to the earthquakes of that high value. I know we we had Brandon Vasquez who we were close to the signing and Austin stole that ⁓ that signing away. ⁓ International player from Argentina, you know, we've we just mentioned Piero Kisp. ⁓ it's One of those things in my head where we only have one international slot. Unless we were able to sign or acquire another international slot from another club. I know a couple of teams have availabilities and vacancies out there. ⁓ this is the World Cup. You never know who's gonna sign what and what plans other teams have. Might be hard to to acquire an international slot, but we only have one left. And, you know, looking at these three potential s ⁓ signings or ⁓ players, we can only sign one. ⁓ and I think if if we were to sign one, I wouldn't necessarily mind it being at the nine. ⁓ but again, Preston Judd is in form. Hopefully he's not hurt. Maybe he is, and that's why we're looking at a a a nine right now. ⁓ San Jose Earthquakes aren't really well known for updating the fans on injury status for for players. So, you know We'll we'll do our best we ask. Yeah, we'll do our best to keep you guys informed, but no, it is very hush hush behind the scenes. ⁓ I yeah, again, I wouldn't mind David Romero, ⁓ Tigades from Liga MX. I know they would they would ask for I think a little bit more. They they valued sales. ⁓ I think more than they would you know, valued purchases. But ⁓ yeah, I don't I don't see any any issue at all with with Romero coming to the earthquakes. Except for the fact that he's Argentinian and and in the past South Americans have ⁓ had somewhat of a temper, at least when playing for the earthquake. So I it's mostly the just Bruce's history of moving them away as quickly as possible. So it's just like you know, Bruce has been moving them out the door and I'm not saying that that was the wrong move. I I I think that it was probably good to move Chicho on, move good to move Joseph on. Not great to get rid of Espinosa. I don't think anyone meant to do that. ⁓ I'd like to talk a little bit about Espinosa after this. ⁓ but ⁓ yeah, I mean I don't think that his ⁓ nationality necessarily brings up a red flag to me, but you do like see the pattern, ⁓ and you are wary of that, you know. ⁓ The third player ⁓ that we are linked with apparently. I I actually didn't know this till I just looked it up. ⁓ we're linked with ⁓ Leandro Bacuna. Or no not Leandro Bacuna. His little brother Juninho. Yes. ⁓ Leandro Bacuna used to play for Aston Billa back in the day, and that's who I had in the back of my mind. ⁓ but Junino Bacuna is ⁓ the only player on this list that I've actually heard of. Played for Birming Birmingham, Huddersfield, you know, whoever. ⁓ From he's listed here as an attacking mid, but from what I've seen he's more of an eight. ⁓ just like a ⁓ energetic ⁓ midfielder. ⁓ I think he he he has a higher level than you know the where he's playing right now. I think that he's on ⁓ at Boltendum. ⁓ I I think that he could do a good job on them less. I don't think that he's like a D P caliber. I think at most a TAM. ⁓ I think ⁓ it would be nice to have depth in the midfield. This isn't one that I'm like, okay, well, you know, this is patching a clear hole that we have. ⁓ because you look at ⁓ the attacking midfield without Nico, there's a a clear gap of, you know, who can play there. ⁓ without Judd, the the clear gap at striker. ⁓ but in the eight or the six, w ⁓ Bo looks good, ⁓ the arrow looks good. I guess ⁓ when you look ⁓ past that then it's like well you have Harks, he looks pretty good and then you have then you go even lower, you have Noel Buck and and Jonah Gonzalez and like okay well maybe that's not great. Very absent, yeah. Yeah but I just For me, I'm like I'm looking at this and I don't see ⁓ Bakuna coming in and taking the third midfield spot. I don't think he wants the Harks role. U you know what I mean? Like it it's hard to ask him to do that. ⁓ because Bo looks really good. ⁓ Vieira looks really good. I don't wanna displace either of them. ⁓ and then so to to be to ask him to be number three behind those two, I don't know if he wants that. I mean it it would be great. It would be really good depth 'cause I I don't necessarily think John de Gonzalez has shown that he's ready or no buck has shown that he's ready at all. ⁓ and we talked about it, Devon. We're like, okay, well no buck, we wanna see more from you. And then we saw more from him. We're like, I don't wanna see any more. Like you're you're good. You hang out, do what you're doing. ⁓ w we got this. ⁓ what are your thoughts on this? So looking at his salary right now, he's currently at Volundum making or ⁓ on loan to volatil is is making six hundred and eighty thousand per year. Now if you go to MLS with that kind of salary, you're kind of expecting to start. You know? ⁓ y he'd be making I think what, equal or more than Bolaroo? If yeah, definitely unless you're a Mark Anthony K, yeah, you expect to start. Yeah, exactly. ⁓ so with that with that current salary, I'd I don't think he would take a pay cut necessarily a big pay cut to come over here and be a rotational player. I think if if we sign him he w he's gonna be a starter. ⁓ and that's what that's what I'm curious about, you know, this rumor is is in competition with Bo LaRue, who is an absolute stud right now at the eight, he may not have had the necessary success as a ten or necessarily the experience to provide him success at the ten. ⁓ I I find this confusing because I don't know if Beau LaRue necessarily needs that competition at the eight. It seems like we have, you know, a couple of viable players to play that position and with this salary that Bakuna is on, I kind of question the the process of adding him to our transfer potential transfer list. ⁓ but, you know, F C Volandum, ⁓ you know it's the same team that Darius Johnson played at before he went to Phoenix Rising, so maybe there's a possible connection there. You never know. Maybe maybe there's something to Bakuna's game that we don't see where Bruce is like, Maybe you can play at the ten or maybe you can play six or you know, be a ⁓ a rotational player in some other position when in need. ⁓ something that we don't see that the coaches see ⁓ tactically. So again, one international slot left, we got Kispe ⁓ Kispe, ⁓ Romero and Bacuna all kind of, you know, trying to, you know, ⁓ put the put the name in the hat, hoping you know to get drawn for signing the Quakes. And he's also twenty eight years old. You know, he's currently in his prime. The other two contenders are twenty four and twenty three. So if we were to sign them, they could have, you know, more of a a long term ⁓ presence here in the earthquakes. Not that Bakruna won't, but I think we can get more value out of out of ⁓ in terms of turnover rate, I think we can find better profit or or use out of Romero and Keesp than ⁓ Bakuna. I think Bakuna is one of those one of those guys where you don't necessarily need a a a D P slot for him. and we also have a good starter in on hand at Boluru. So I I see him lower on the the lower end of the transfer rumor. Yeah. And it's it's mostly because like so we we talk about, you know competition for Pas Naj is needed, not because he hasn't been good, it's just like it's good to have. ⁓ we've been able to win games when you know, just not on the field. But ⁓ every time we try to not play Bo, not play Vieira, mm mm. It's it's like Bo or even play Bo as an eight. If we play him at anywhere else, it's like, well we don't have an eight. We don't have freaking Bo Laru to to dig us out of every hole, start every attack, nutmeg everyone and and shoot from from long range. Bo's really good, right? And and I'm looking at ⁓ Juninino ⁓ my god, I'm gonna call if he comes here, I will call him Leandro Bakuna every day. ⁓ Junino Bakuna. ⁓ I'm looking at his ⁓ page on Fot Mob. He confirmed as a central midfielder, can also play defensive, can also play attacking. ⁓ he has a very high ⁓ chances created. ⁓ super high aerial success rate, like ⁓ ninety four percent aerial duels one. Maybe a center back. Not like obviously not, but like that's ⁓ that's very high stat in that regard. ⁓ shots attempted is eighty eighty six percent. So and and I'm also seeing here that he he has played at striker as like, you know, just offhand. I don't think That's not what he's coming here to do. ⁓ you know, he's coming here as an eight in my opinion. it wouldn't be the worst move of all time. I don't think it it necessarily derails our season, but it is a very perplexing move because for me the double pivots are nailed on and so bringing in someone to disrupt that ⁓ would be really weird. ⁓ I don't necessarily think Dave Romero or David probably ⁓ comes in and is like, okay, Judd, this is my spot forever now. Like it it'll be more of like, okay, when one subs off for the other and it's more of a hopefully a a you know am amorous relationship where they're not like fighting each other. Whereas there's no more space for another eight or six. There we have two ⁓ double pivots and we have Harks who comes on when the other one is tired, right? And and ⁓ maybe somebody who is more that level, more more of like a Ian Harks cali If we could just clone Ian Harks and have him play like both double pivots when when ⁓ Bo or V is hired, that would be great. But unfortunately we don't have that kind of technology yet. ⁓ but yeah, I think that's all we have to say on those three. I think that Devin you're probably right that we can only get one. ⁓ it would be Interesting if we do the aggressive move by a another ⁓ international slot and get ⁓ I think if we were to do that we would probably go or I would hope that we go Kispe and Romero. but likely only one ⁓ ends up happening. If any, right? This is take this with a grain of salt. This is like what we've been seeing all over Twitter and stuff like that. So it's not like, you know, ⁓ Bogart has confirmed anything. Like it we're we're very, you know, tentative about ⁓ confirming these, but they are rumors. ⁓ and and the transfer window is over a month from now. So we have a lot of time for potential more rumors and more players that, you know, were interested in signing. And it seems like this these these three guys are among the top five of players we have interested. ⁓ I think one of those three, I believe it was Romero who we had reached out and officially bid for, but I don't exactly I can't confirm that. Yeah. But that was just the rumor that we had seen, ⁓ and was reported to us. So, you know, there there is interest in acquiring an attacking level player, just you know, depends on what position we're talking about. Yeah. And we have seen Bruce be very aggressive in the transfer market before. ⁓ you remember when he bought half of New England and so gave them Tanner Beeson and Jackson Yule, which I heard the name Jackson Yule the other day 'cause I was watching a video where ⁓ this guy was trying to in twenty twenty one he was trying to predict the twenty twenty six World Cup roster for the US and Jackson Yule was on there. And I was like, What a different time. ⁓ it was only five years ago, but like that's it were in the days imagine he didn't play center back and he kept playing CM. How different the story would be. ⁓ my god, that was a crazy time back Yeah, J Jackson center back, which was should never have been the case. And Jackson said usually, you know, if you're Jackson Newell, you don't go to Matias Almeida and be like, I'm no center back. No no mass. But he did. He was like, I can't play there, coach. I can't do it and then ⁓ eventually that shifted. But that was that was crazy. ⁓ the next thing I want to talk about, I wanna talk about ⁓ before we leave. There's been some discourse not just in the Discord But also on Reddit and wherever, you know, there is ⁓ earthquake discord to be had about Christian Espinosa and whether or not he makes his team worse. And for me, I think that is a ridiculous notion. ⁓ but I'm going to let Devin go. I don't know where you fall on this, but I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I wanna know who said that, because why? Why did you say that? I No, I I genuinely think over the last s however many years we've had Espinoza, I think it was five, six, he's been a consistent performer at the right wing or right midfielder ⁓ position and he's always done the the same things that we'd see year in, year out is, you know, collect the ball, attack the opposition defense, find open space, and then cross the ball inside the box. I think if Chris Wondolowski didn't retire and he was younger than he than he currently is, I think he would probably have like a twenty five plus goal season with the amount of crosses that Espinoza is able to deliver inside the box in the run of play. On corner kicks, Espinoza's a different animal. He does not know how to to take a corner past the first man. And I think we've been we we have always talked about that since he has done it and we have scored some bangers from corners, but If we're like the whole of of his whole career taking corners for the quake, sorry I put my mic. A lot of them hit the first man. Like a lot. Like too many. He does have assists from corners, but there is a denim like wow, so many hit the first man. Shout out that Miguel ⁓ Trauco goal. I think that came from an Espinosa Cona. So yes, he has he has assisted bangers from the corner kick, but like ninety percent of his corners have not made it past the first man. And that's what I'm most pissed about, Espinosa's performance. And I I don't know what it's like at at Nashville if he's even taking the corners, but ⁓ that's what we've seen from the earthquakes. I but in in the run of play specifically, I think Espy would have made this team ⁓ a lot better. ⁓ with Timo on the left, Espy on the right, Preston Judd in the middle. He is that type of player that deserves Press Preston Judd i specifically is that player that deserves to have good passes at his feet so he can one time finish them. That's what he's best at. I don't I don't see Preston Judd as a dribbler. He's not great at one V ones. He's not great at at, you know, trying to beat the man. He's great at the Chris Wondolowski finish. Yeah. That's that's why he's performing at his best because the current players we have are delivering that perfect pass to Preston Judd and and maybe he'll take a touch or two and then finish from there. But You know, Espinoza is known for that that crossing ability and if he was able to find it, you know, it hypothetically obviously, if he's able to find a press and judge foot, then yeah, he'd be able to put it in the back of the net. So kinda sucked that that Chicho Arango and Joseph Martinez, I believe, just weren't didn't have that team mentality. And he still got assist last season. It's not like he didn't play well, you know. ⁓ yeah. No, he showed up for the first half of the season and then the second half just kind of bunkered Everyone. Yeah, yeah. We all just went fetal. but, you know, he is that team player and and you know, as much as I I wish we had Espy, I think we can find someone who performs like Espinoza. And, you know, this is gonna be a hot take or a tectonic take for that matter. I think Darius Johnson can be that that new Espinoza, but have a different, you know, ⁓ British flair. to his game. ⁓ I think he can make just as good passes, he can create his own chances, and you know, I I I think he can he despite his difference or parity in salary, then Christian Espinoza, I think he can he can deliver as much as as Espin did for the earthquakes in the second half of the season. I don't know if he will be the assist leader of all time ⁓ for for the earthquakes. I I'm not prepared to say that yet. ⁓ especially with the only scene thirty minutes from him. ⁓ but ⁓ you know, I I think it'd be great if we see ⁓ a big step from Darius Johnson and he ends up overperforming. ⁓ that'd be great. I don't think that he will be able to do what S P did. ⁓ a at least there's no indication of that yet, I think, ⁓ other than like our hopes. That'd be great. ⁓ but ⁓ no, ⁓ in terms of what I think about Espinosa and what he would be able to contribute to this team. I think that he presses just as hard and and keep in mind, he's he's nailed on a right winger i in this team. ⁓ Buddha's been great. ⁓ he's been doing very well with the chances he's gotten. ⁓ I think that the two goals against LA, Espinosa does the same thing, takes those shots as hard as he can, and can score them. ⁓ like I I I don't have any doubt that in the same position that Buddha was in against LAFC He scores those chances as well. ⁓ he had the ability to pick out a man on the run ⁓ and find him ⁓ with a long ball, Espinosa. ⁓ I think that early crosses from Espinosa to Timo Werner would have been beautiful. ⁓ finding ⁓ Preston Judd ⁓ who the right footed player ⁓ you know from the right receiving balls from the right hand side would have been amazing. ⁓ I think like I said, he pressed just as hard He he attacks just probably better than Buddha, even though we love Buddha here, obviously, it's just Espinosa was a different animal. And some people are saying like, okay, well, when we had Espinosa, we just kind of spam the right hand side and made him do everything and whatever. Well then how about we don't do that? Like I think that if if you are a team that's lining up, an ideal lineup, with Timo Werner on the left, Espinosa on the right. And you're you're just forcing it Espinosa right every time, you are stupid. You you use Timo Werner also. Like th this team when when Werner's on the field, they they they use him a lot. They they go to him all the time. Sometimes it's honestly too much. ⁓ but I think that, you know, Timo and Espinosa balances out w the way that we attack easily. I I don't think that that is the issue here. ⁓ We let him we we let him go due to errors in the paperwork. It wasn't a tactical decision from from everything I understand about the situation. It wasn't like, okay, well let's make sure this happens so that Espinosa goes. That wasn't meant to happen. It was it was he was meant to stay here and be a part of this team. ⁓ and that's what I believe. I think that he would have had a very clear spot ⁓ in the front line and would be just as productive, if not more productive than than Usani Buddha has been, with the same opportunities. ⁓ and we've seen that I'm not just talking out of my butt here. He's been very good for Nashville. Like every time he does something people are in the Discord like, ⁓ Espinosa, you know, scored a banger for thirty yards. Like yeah, he could do that in a blue shirt too. ⁓ and I don't think there's any reason why we should think otherwise, you know Yeah, I I really wish he he stayed, but you know, I think we could say that every podcast, every episode, every day. it's just one of those things where shit happens in the background and you know most people don't have control of it over a select few and I think ⁓ changes were made in the process. So yeah. Unfortunate we don't have a caliber player on the right quite like we used to. but that doesn't mean we won't. Yeah. And I will that's that's all I will say about that. And Buddha has been doing a great job. We we at this podcast we love Usani. I have a card of his right here. I don't have the the rare one on me right now, but we love Usani Buddha. I keep him on me at all times. and obviously if you haven't go watch the interview with him, ⁓ one of my favorite interviews that we've done. Just a a lovely guy, you know, regardless of of how well he plays. ⁓ and he's been having his career season so far. I wouldn't be surprised if another club comes knocking for Buddha. ⁓ you know, ⁓ next year, maybe in the off season, 'cause I don't think we can afford to lose him. But ⁓ You know, I actually had a question about that, Aaron. Sure, sure. You know, the pondering something here. Bruce is more of a seller than you know, Chris Leach was. You know, it seems like we we just let go a lot of players for free. ⁓ Jackson Yule, ⁓ Tanner B s we we made trades for we did make trades, but there were a lot of players historically who have been let go for free. but it seems like Bruce is is more on the selling mindset too for players who who are up and coming. You know, Chance Cowell, I can't even think of anything currently at the moment, but ⁓ you know where I'm coming from. Are there any players that we may see depart the earthquakes in the summer transfer window? It seems like There could be interest. We haven't heard any any clubs interested in any of our players just yet, but that doesn't mean that's not the case. Do you think there's any players that could be on the way out? Yeah, I mean, from what I understand about the situation, it it's very likely that we I mean, maybe not in the next transfer window, but whenever it does happen, ⁓ Chicho Orango, I mean we consider him gone, and we should. ⁓ you know, he's still contracted to the club, but It it's not for him to, you know, continue playing for the Quakes. That's not the idea right now. ⁓ Noel Buck, I think that Bruce is probably very frustrated with him because he has given him a lot of chances. ⁓ like you he gets injured, he comes back, he he gets a chance. ⁓ he doesn't look like he's fit. I don't know what it is about Noel Buck 'cause it's not even like that he's not running or or whatever it is. He just when he gets the ball he doesn't look like he knows what to do. ⁓ but he's somebody who has pedigree. He has a history, like he was a wonder kid and he's only twenty twenty one. ⁓ so I I'm sure that we could get something for him if we want to move him on, maybe, you know, maybe he's thrown into a deal with ⁓ you know, whoever it is for ⁓ international slot. Like, hey, you could have no buck and you give us international slot and we go buy all the South Americans. ⁓ ⁓ him being our gam is kinda funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. ⁓ I that's who I see like not not it would be very rude to call them Dead Wood, but it's like players that I think Bruce is like looking at like no longer a part of this, you know, group that's gonna go far in this campaign. ⁓ that's the only one who I can think of because everyone else is like we we kinda need guys. I th I don't think that Dave Romney is someone who wants to let go 'cause he uses him. Like You know, ⁓ we d might not like how he plays at left back, but he is playing a lot at left back. ⁓ who's gonna play? And we don't know what what's happening with Peter Costa. ⁓ and hey, if if we want to move him on after his injury, that might not be too bad because that's another international spot. That's another way we could do it, maybe we could bring in all these South Americans. Costa bring in Romero, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The squad's not too deep, right? So it's not like there's so Too many places where I can look at I mean obviously Jonathan's but I don't I don't see him selling him after his first year. ⁓ I think that he ⁓ gets a few more chances in this team. but do you have anyone in mind? I don't I I I don't have any particular player in mind, you know. If if Nico wasn't injured, I was gonna say Nico could be on his way out, ⁓ despite the fact that he just signed a new contract as a number ten. ⁓ I knew his goal was to reach Europe someday, but I think with this injury, they may have to reconsider that that prospect. Mil Bolaroo at some point, if he's interested in going to Europe, I think he's got the he doesn't have the speed for the Premier League. I don't think he would make Premier League anyway. ⁓ I think he would make, you know, a Bundesliga team or a Eredovisi team, ⁓ somewhere along that caliber. Maybe somewhere in Greece, I could see him succeed. but, you know, other than that, ⁓ off the off the top of my the top of my dome, the next best player maybe that could be sold would be Bench Kakanovich. I Almeida really appreciated appreciated his time. Yeah. ⁓ as manager and wanted to bring him to ⁓ Athens. you know, maybe there's a chance that Benji gets a call from another team and Bruce is finally able to find his phone and and and answer a call. ⁓ but that's about it. I think it's just those players. Maybe Daniel Muni just given his pace and overall strength and yeah desire to to be a top player. I think it would be strange to do it this season, like in the in the the summer window, because it's like these are the players that we are using. Like Benji Ulhar nailed on right back. A judge is someone who I heard I don't I don't trust this, but I've heard that like people speculate that everything are interested and I'm like, I don't think that's the case. nice try. but no. I not to stir the pot too much, but ⁓ Beau LaRue is in Europe right now. Bo went to France and then he was in London. ⁓ we saw from his social media. I think that he is just taking a vacation and checking out ⁓ new places. I don't think it's anything like you know, serious. I don't think he's looking at other clubs. ⁓ but that could be the case. You know, there's there's always a chance anything's possible. ⁓ that's a player that again, like we don't want to lose him this year because he has been so important. Like when he hasn't played and we brought him in He just changes the entire game. ⁓ so it'd be very interesting if if Bruce were to to you know sell him in the summer window. in in the ⁓ you know, off season anything can happen and and that that's more when I'm like, Okay, well, you can move on the bigger player if we we have, you know, more of a plan to bring someone else in. ⁓ but that's that's kinda my thoughts on the matter. Yeah. Call me crazy, Abram, and and tell yeah, tell me if I'm crazy for thinking this, but This season for the earthquakes almost feels like the current Olisse saga going on at Bayern Munich. You know, there's a lot of talks about the just ⁓ leadership at ⁓ Bayern Munich going back and forth at at Real Madrid or whatever clubs we're interested in at Olisse and you know, Bayern basically stated, Hey, we don't wanna lose any of our players. You know, we're more of a buying club than a selling club and If we were to lose any of our current players that we have now who are giving us this current level of success, then you know, then it just potentially breaks up the team chemistry and and we don't really wanna do that. We wanna sh fight for Champions League titles and we wanna shoot for the the very best. And if you know shooting for the very best means that you have the very best. Yeah. ⁓ and that's that's on a similar level for the earthquakes right now. It it seems like, you know, if if we wanna be the best We have the best, we have the capability to be the best, and if we lose any of our current guys, like Bolaroo, th what does that mean for the rest of the season in team chemistry? You know, if we were to sell any of these top players, that that could ruin team chemistry. So, ⁓ in that regard, I d I it's difficult to say, obviously, for anyone, whether it be an analyst, a fan, or someone in HQ, but losing any of our top talent could potentially you know, shotgun us back down to a non playoff spot. Yeah, I mean, it would be honestly, I I was gonna disagree with that just 'cause like the numerically we're so high f you know, compared to most teams in the league that like mathematically it's difficult to not get a playoff spot. But we're looking at like home playoff game. Like not play in playoff like playoff at home. That's what we're looking at. That's her trajectory right now. But honestly, like i it's not too crazy to say that like Sa say it is ⁓ mathematically possible. I think that like losing Preston Judd for the rest of the year and not replacing him, what are we gonna do? Like where are we how we're gonna score goals? I don't see ⁓ a natural way or a consistent way to to make that happen. So it could definitely derail our season quite a bit. ⁓ so that's why I'm like I don't see Bruce making ⁓ the decision to do that. and just because I don't think that it's super possible right now with the current market to replace anyone like for sure. Because every transfer you make is always a gamble. you know, we didn't know even, you know, with someone who has such a ⁓ a a high pedigree like Timo Werner, we didn't know if he was gonna play good. He might not. But he is. He you know, he he's here and he's ready to work and he's been playing very well when fit. ⁓ the only you know, problem with that has been his injuries, which I don't think are a surprise, but they definitely weren't like we're gonna buy him and he's gonna be injured for you know, half the season. Like that's not the intention. ⁓ but anyways I think that it's a lot to ponder. ⁓ we will be we're for the World Cup break we're doing a episode every other week. We'll be back in two weeks to ⁓ cover any new developments on those transformers that we discussed. ⁓ do you have any closing thoughts, Devin? ⁓ no closing thoughts for me, sorry I just had a brain fart moment. But ⁓ you know, show up to San Pedro Square Market if you're in the area watching the World Cup games. I will try to make it to as many games there as possible. ⁓ really excited for just watching the games. I know the whole build up to the World Cup has been a a huge mess, ⁓ you know in the in the background. Right. ⁓ I'm not looking forward to the event as a whole, but just to watch the games and see the performances from these world class players and the biggest event of the w you know, on this planet. ⁓ I'm looking forward to every game and ⁓ you know, starting off starting off with Mexico versus South Africa. I I I'm looking forward most to the fan culture. Whether it be at the stadium or at viewing parties and whatnot, I think just because of this the price gouging right now, I think it would be great to see a lot of the passionate fans show up at those viewing parties, especially at San Pedro Square Market. So if you're one of those passionate fans, show up and it'd be ⁓ it'd be great to watch the games with you guys. Yeah. Guys remember that San Pedro Square is showing all what, a hundred and forty one, one hundred and forty two, all the games. Every single game. If they're the game, they're showing it. ⁓ so if you're looking for people to hang out with during these games, even if you're not associated with either team, you know This is beautiful game. ⁓ this is a social event. Come hang out. ⁓ I will try to show up, but obviously it's closer to you, Devon, than it is to me. And we'll have to carpool there if I do go 'cause I I will ki I will kidnap you, Abraham. We will go to the As ⁓ long as I don't have to park, ⁓ we we could do it. ⁓ we'll we'll park in that ⁓ parking structure right by there. ⁓ it'll be fine. ⁓ but yeah, thank you guys for ⁓ watching and tuning in today. ⁓ we'll be back Like I said, in two weeks, but until then, go Quakes. Go Quakes.