Latest / Friends on Football / Ep. 18 - Round of 32 Takeaways, Round of 16 Preview and a USMNT vs. Belgium Preview

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Ep. 18 - Round of 32 Takeaways, Round of 16 Preview and a USMNT vs. Belgium Preview · Friends on Football

0:22
SPEAKER_01: Hello, friends, and welcome to episode 18 of the Friends on Football Podcast.
0:27
SPEAKER_01: I'm one of your hosts, Brandon Johnson, and I'm joined today by my co-host, Mr.
0:32
SPEAKER_01: Sean Boyle.
0:33
SPEAKER_01: Sean, how are you doing today?
0:35
SPEAKER_01: Brandon, I'm doing well.
0:36
SPEAKER_00: It's always a pleasure to speak to you.
0:38
SPEAKER_01: How are you doing today?
0:39
SPEAKER_01: I'm great, Sean.
0:41
SPEAKER_01: More soccer.
0:42
SPEAKER_01: We can't complain about that.
0:44
SPEAKER_01: More games on the way.
0:45
SPEAKER_01: It feels like we're we're in the thick of it now.
0:47
SPEAKER_01: We're in the business end.
0:48
SPEAKER_01: So excited to look at some games with you, talk about some games, and then of course preview our US team.
0:55
SPEAKER_01: So yeah, it's nothing nothing bad on my end.
0:58
SPEAKER_01: It's all all good.
0:59
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, the fixtures are coming hot and heavy.
1:02
SPEAKER_00: Emphasis on the hot, especially here in the Northeast.
1:04
SPEAKER_00: They're sweating us out.
1:06
SPEAKER_00: We can't go outside.
1:07
SPEAKER_00: So damn it, we're forced to spend the 4th of July weekend indoors watching some football.
1:12
SPEAKER_00: Well, I mean, what a time to be alive.
1:14
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it could definitely be some worse options for us.
1:18
SPEAKER_01: But today, Sean, we will go over the round of 32, the wild round of 32.
1:24
SPEAKER_01: I don't think either of us had some of these uh endings in our predictions.
1:30
SPEAKER_01: We'll we'll go over that.
1:31
SPEAKER_01: We will give a quick update on where our teams have are finishing, uh, the dark horses, the breakout teams, the teams that we thought would make some noise in this tournament.
1:41
SPEAKER_01: We'll do a preview of the round of 16 uh as these games again are coming hot and heavy starting this weekend again.
1:49
SPEAKER_01: And then finally, we will do a large preview on the US men's national team game against Belgium on Monday night.
1:56
SPEAKER_01: So, Sean, I just want to kick it off.
1:58
SPEAKER_01: Early hand up by me.
2:00
SPEAKER_01: I said I was gonna get 13 out of these 16 round of 13 32 games correct.
2:05
SPEAKER_01: I think I've counted up and I'm somewhere around like eight.
2:08
SPEAKER_01: It has been absolutely nuts.
2:12
SPEAKER_01: Sean, just just before we break down sort of each game, maybe some highlights, but why have these games been so close?
2:21
SPEAKER_00: Well, Brandon, I will say you said you're gonna get 13 or 14, and I was like, whoa, that's a big claim.
2:26
SPEAKER_00: I tried to soften the audience and say, hey guys, listen, as a podcast, we might get 10.
2:32
SPEAKER_00: You know, we tried to lower the expectations a bit.
2:34
SPEAKER_00: And Brandon, we've seen banger after banger, but to your credit, if you if you go one out of two in baseball, you're a hall of famer.
2:40
SPEAKER_00: So I don't think there's when games are this wild and unpredictable, I don't think there's any shame in getting some wrong.
2:47
SPEAKER_00: No, the games have been crazy.
2:49
SPEAKER_00: Part of it is I think knockout style football, it leads to everything being on the line, and that also could change team strategies where you see teams playing for a draw, you see teams going for it for the full 90 minutes, kind of like a free hit because they know there's nothing to lose if they're the underdog.
3:08
SPEAKER_00: So it just creates a whole different balance of football.
3:12
SPEAKER_00: And the structure is way different than you would see in like a normal league season or even in a group stage where you know there's three games and you could try to play things safe in one.
3:20
SPEAKER_00: In knockout football, it's winner-go-home.
3:22
SPEAKER_00: The late drama has been unbelievable.
3:24
SPEAKER_00: I I don't know if this almost seems like a hunger game situation where there's like script writers kind of controlling what happens because FIFA have to absolutely be loving what they're seeing.
3:34
SPEAKER_00: Every game is basically a banger.
3:37
SPEAKER_01: Sean, it's it's insane, and we've mentioned this on previous podcasts, but I feel like the the typical American is locking in now.
3:45
SPEAKER_01: I mean, we've seen games, we've had Canada scoring in the 92nd minute to win 1-0, Brazil in the 95th minute, Norway with Holland two goals, England in the 86th with Harry Kane scoring twice at the end of that game, Belgium wins in basically 120 plus on a penalty kick that maybe or maybe wasn't a penalty kick after scoring two goals in the 86th and 89th minute to even tie the game to get to extra time.
4:11
SPEAKER_01: Portugal, 94th minute goal to win the game, and then Croatia trying to score back on Portugal.
4:18
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, a goal in the 102nd minute actually getting called off, uh leading Portugal to that win.
4:23
SPEAKER_01: We've seen two uh penalty shootouts, Paraguay winning on penalty kicks, and Morocco winning on penalty kicks after they scored in the 91st minute to send the game to extra time.
4:34
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I mean, that's whatever.
4:36
SPEAKER_01: Eight, eight or nine games right there, and it's just been insane.
4:40
SPEAKER_01: I thought we were gonna see some 3-0s, some 3-1s, some casual wins.
4:44
SPEAKER_01: It's been anything but that so far.
4:47
SPEAKER_00: No, you're 100% right.
4:49
SPEAKER_00: And I think it it's great for all of us because we get to take in these thrilling games that come down to the end.
4:53
SPEAKER_00: It's great for the growth of the game because people, even casual fans, are staying engaged for the whole entire match, where sometimes if it is a 3-0, they could tune out.
5:03
SPEAKER_00: But when you kind of have a feeling that every game's gonna come down to the last 10 minutes, it creates such an awesome experience for everybody watching.
5:10
SPEAKER_00: So that's been great.
5:12
SPEAKER_00: Like you said, some of these games, like you think going into it, we we have a good feel.
5:18
SPEAKER_00: For example, Germany against Paraguay, you do have a good feel that Germany's gonna win that one.
5:22
SPEAKER_00: We saw the US beat Paraguay comfortably, and then it's just like, oh well, this game's close for a lot longer than I was expecting.
5:29
SPEAKER_00: Oh, per oh, per oh, Paraguay won.
5:31
SPEAKER_00: Like it's it's anything could happen.
5:33
SPEAKER_00: And I think it's been a testament, too.
5:35
SPEAKER_00: People were worried about what this round of 32 would look like.
5:38
SPEAKER_00: Would it be uncompetitive because of the fact that some of the teams at the bottom of it are quote unquote weaker?
5:44
SPEAKER_00: So far, and we're recording this on a Friday morning before the final three round of 32 games.
5:49
SPEAKER_00: So far, 10 out of 10.
5:51
SPEAKER_00: It has not it.
5:52
SPEAKER_00: We've gotten some matchups where maybe some teams are unlucky to be facing each other in the round of 32, such as the Netherlands-Morocco matchup.
6:00
SPEAKER_00: But really, it's been an awesome, full of intrigue round of the tournament, and I'm so happy we had 48 teams.
6:06
SPEAKER_00: I'm so happy we had an extra round of knockouts.
6:09
SPEAKER_01: Sean, yeah, I feel like FIFA uses this as their advertisement to keep 48.
6:13
SPEAKER_01: I mean, we mentioned it before, and again, I'll hand up apologize again.
6:19
SPEAKER_01: Like, I thought 48 was silly.
6:21
SPEAKER_01: I thought I was like, there's gonna be some teams in here that absolutely stink.
6:25
SPEAKER_01: And there were some teams that weren't great.
6:27
SPEAKER_01: You know, we had Tunisia, we had Uzbekistan, some of these teams that just really didn't hold their own.
6:33
SPEAKER_01: But then you see teams like a DR Congo, uh, Cape Verde, who who had made knockout run runs, and it's teams that we absolutely did not have making it this far.
6:43
SPEAKER_01: And then to come into the knockout game, and you have a team like DR Congo who takes England to the final minutes.
6:49
SPEAKER_01: I mean, winning up one-nil in past the 80th minute.
6:54
SPEAKER_01: So, so these teams, Sean, I'm I'm glad the game is growing.
6:59
SPEAKER_01: It shows that the the talent is being spread out, more countries are are becoming more developed and and developing better teams, and that's great.
7:06
SPEAKER_01: We we would love we'd love to see that.
7:08
SPEAKER_01: But if you're FIFA, I mean, you have to love this.
7:12
SPEAKER_01: This is a this is your advertisement to keep 48 teams moving forward.
7:16
SPEAKER_00: And honestly, Infantino, Johnny Infantino, the president of FIFA, he's at every game.
7:20
SPEAKER_00: I I've never watched a match in this World Cup that he hasn't been at.
7:23
SPEAKER_00: I'm not sure if he's time traveling.
7:25
SPEAKER_00: I I don't know what's going on.
7:27
SPEAKER_00: He is everywhere.
7:28
SPEAKER_00: This is across three countries, several different time zones.
7:32
SPEAKER_00: Somehow the guy never misses a match.
7:34
SPEAKER_00: It's a bit I've been making the joke that you were like uh Brandon Infantino in Philadelphia, you didn't miss a match.
7:39
SPEAKER_00: This guy, he he'll you could play them wherever, whenever he'll be there.
7:43
SPEAKER_00: And honestly, what a life to be living because he's he's just absolutely laughing right now.
7:48
SPEAKER_00: He's like, oh, another close game?
7:50
SPEAKER_00: How great.
7:51
SPEAKER_00: It's just it's just all working out for him.
7:53
SPEAKER_00: I don't think he's a guy who deserves it all to work out for him, but whatever the case is, we're we've had an absolutely unbelievable tournament so far.
8:00
SPEAKER_00: And I think looking at some of these matchups coming ahead that we're gonna talk about later, it's only gonna get better.
8:06
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, Sean.
8:08
SPEAKER_01: Before we preview those matchups, I just wanted to give a quick update on sort of our predictions.
8:14
SPEAKER_01: Uh, we had some dark horse prediction, winner prediction, breakout team predictions.
8:18
SPEAKER_01: I guess I'll I'll start.
8:20
SPEAKER_01: Portugal was one of my breakout teams.
8:22
SPEAKER_01: I said that could potentially uh win this World Cup.
8:25
SPEAKER_01: They squeak by with a late winner.
8:27
SPEAKER_01: Uh they sneak into the round of 16.
8:30
SPEAKER_01: Unfortunately, now they have to match up with Spain.
8:32
SPEAKER_01: Netherlands, one of my other teams, they unfortunately lost on a shootout to Morocco, so they are home.
8:40
SPEAKER_01: I also mentioned Mexico as a team that potentially can make a run.
8:44
SPEAKER_01: They are now in the round of 16 but have to play England, so that's gonna be a tough one for them.
8:49
SPEAKER_01: And Switzerland was one of my other teams that I said could make a quarterfinal run.
8:53
SPEAKER_01: They are in the final 16 and they will play the winner of Columbia Ghana, which is probably on paper a much more favorable matchup uh for Switzerland.
9:03
SPEAKER_01: So that could that could still happen.
9:05
SPEAKER_01: And England was my choice to win the World Cup, and they are obviously still in it.
9:09
SPEAKER_01: Uh, and as I mentioned, play Mexico on Sunday.
9:12
SPEAKER_01: So, Sean, how are your how are your teams lining up?
9:16
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I had a stable of dark horses.
9:18
SPEAKER_00: It wasn't, of course, I couldn't just get one, so I had a whole hill stable.
9:22
SPEAKER_00: I would say pretty good.
9:23
SPEAKER_00: Honestly, I had the unfortunate situation where two of them played each other, Norway and the Ivory Coast.
9:28
SPEAKER_00: Tough to see that that resulted in Norway advancing.
9:32
SPEAKER_00: And the other problem for me was my pick to win was Brazil, and they played one of my other dark horses, Japan.
9:37
SPEAKER_00: So we had to sacrifice Japan, but Brazil stayed alive.
9:41
SPEAKER_00: So now it sets up a situation where Brazil hopefully can knock out another one of my dark horse teams.
9:46
SPEAKER_00: So it's not that I'm wrong, it's just that I didn't really look at the bracket.
9:49
SPEAKER_00: You know, it's it's just one of those things.
9:51
SPEAKER_00: There's a lack of planning on my end, lack of foresight.
9:55
SPEAKER_00: That happens.
9:56
SPEAKER_00: I was also very high-branded, if you will recall, on the teams from the Americas.
10:00
SPEAKER_00: And I think that's been going pretty well.
10:03
SPEAKER_00: I think we're smashing it on that front.
10:05
SPEAKER_00: I predicted US and Mexico to make the quarters.
10:08
SPEAKER_00: That was a bold one.
10:09
SPEAKER_00: We're now one game away for for each.
10:12
SPEAKER_00: So two more wins.
10:14
SPEAKER_00: We're both through.
10:15
SPEAKER_00: That'd be awesome.
10:16
SPEAKER_00: I said Canada would win their group.
10:18
SPEAKER_00: They didn't win their group, but they're still alive.
10:20
SPEAKER_00: I think that's close enough.
10:21
SPEAKER_00: I was directionally correct on that one.
10:23
SPEAKER_00: I've been high on Colombia.
10:25
SPEAKER_00: They still need to win a couple to really prove me right.
10:27
SPEAKER_00: Ecuador was disappointing.
10:29
SPEAKER_00: They they no doubt.
10:30
SPEAKER_00: They they couldn't score a goal against Mexico if they played for two and a half hours.
10:37
SPEAKER_00: They didn't even sniff an opportunity.
10:39
SPEAKER_00: They stink at scoring goals.
10:41
SPEAKER_00: I don't know why I got tricked into picking them.
10:43
SPEAKER_00: They hadn't conceded two goals in a match since 2024, and of course they go to the Azteca and they concede two immediately.
10:49
SPEAKER_00: And I'm like, well, they're not scoring two, so this one's you can turn this one off.
10:54
SPEAKER_00: But the the fans in the Azteca were absolutely crazy.
10:57
SPEAKER_00: I I'm very excited about that one.
10:59
SPEAKER_00: So yeah, I think overall my dark horses are doing pretty well.
11:04
SPEAKER_00: My picks are doing pretty well.
11:05
SPEAKER_00: The key for me is Brazil, and to a lesser extent, I did shout out Argentina as well.
11:10
SPEAKER_00: But Brazil is my pick.
11:12
SPEAKER_00: I need Brazil to survive in advance against Norway, and it could potentially set up a matchup against Euro England, where that's a friends-on football clash.
11:20
SPEAKER_00: And it's it's so scummy of you to root for England in that one.
11:23
SPEAKER_01: Sean, you're not wrong, but I have faith in my boy Harry Kane and his team to win it all.
11:29
SPEAKER_01: They have looked a little shaky, but yeah, it's Harry Kane's team, really.
11:33
SPEAKER_00: It's his country at this point.
11:34
SPEAKER_00: He bailed them out again, as he always does.
11:37
SPEAKER_00: Who else?
11:38
SPEAKER_00: You know, Sir Harry.
11:40
SPEAKER_00: But yeah, so that's I think so far as a podcast, we're not doing too bad.
11:43
SPEAKER_00: I think your Switzerland pick's looking pretty good.
11:45
SPEAKER_00: I think they have a decent, it's almost 50-50 chance now at this point to make it to the quarterfinals.
11:49
SPEAKER_00: So and they look good against Algeria from what I saw.
11:52
SPEAKER_00: I think overall, pretty good from us.
11:55
SPEAKER_01: Mm-hmm.
11:55
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, not not bad at all.
11:56
SPEAKER_01: I think Friendsland Football did their work.
11:59
SPEAKER_01: We might not be able to pick the individual matchups as well as best as super well, but we we got our overall our overall choices.
12:06
SPEAKER_01: Most of them are doing pretty well.
12:08
SPEAKER_01: Sean, before we switch to round of 16 previews, we have to bring it up.
12:13
SPEAKER_01: Why has the refereeing been so awful?
12:16
SPEAKER_01: And you prefaced this in a previous podcast.
12:19
SPEAKER_01: You said referees forgot their whistles, they forgot their yellow cards, and I agreed with you.
12:23
SPEAKER_01: I thought that was correct.
12:24
SPEAKER_01: But now we're moving into this round of 32 where I don't know if the FIFA bosses are watching the games a little more closely, but the VAR intervention has been so much higher, in my opinion, compared to what it was in the early rounds.
12:39
SPEAKER_01: Like, what what have you seen and and why do you think this is occurring?
12:43
SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, it's almost two different conversations, but we need to lump them together, obviously.
12:47
SPEAKER_00: The the refereeing, I still maintain the threshold for a foul is way higher than what I'm used to watching.
12:53
SPEAKER_00: So I think they are, and maybe for good reason, letting a lot of things go.
12:57
SPEAKER_00: I don't know if they're trying to Americanize the sport with these hydration breaks turning into quarters, they're letting fouls happen up and down the pitch, there's some tackles that are going unpunished.
13:06
SPEAKER_00: I don't know, but I still think the general sense is more has been allowed, there has been more ticky-tack fouls given.
13:13
SPEAKER_00: That's at least from my watching experience.
13:15
SPEAKER_00: Now the the other issue on refing is it's wildly inconsistent.
13:19
SPEAKER_00: So it's of course match dependent.
13:21
SPEAKER_00: That's not a rule for all referees.
13:23
SPEAKER_00: There are some refs that are still calling some weird ones and then letting other, which seemingly are more blatant fouls go.
13:30
SPEAKER_00: I don't get it.
13:31
SPEAKER_00: You're right a hundred percent that the refs have just been they're now becoming a storyline, which is what we don't want from them.
13:37
SPEAKER_00: But specifically, VAR is a storyline.
13:40
SPEAKER_00: We saw it in the Flora, Florent Balogun red card.
13:43
SPEAKER_00: It's just this need why do they feel the need to interject?
13:47
SPEAKER_00: They're like a person who every time you're out with them, you're telling a story, and that person's just sitting there waiting to make it about themselves.
13:54
SPEAKER_00: They had a similar, but not that similar, experience, and they just can't wait to bring it up.
13:59
SPEAKER_00: And that's VAR.
14:00
SPEAKER_00: Anytime something's going smoothly, they're like, oh, I can't wait to jump in and make it about me.
14:04
SPEAKER_00: And that that's what that's what it's doing.
14:06
SPEAKER_00: It is unbelievable how VAR has the ability to just in an instant become that whole storyline.
14:12
SPEAKER_00: I hate seeing it.
14:13
SPEAKER_00: I hate VAR in general.
14:14
SPEAKER_00: I wish we could have never introduced it to the game.
14:17
SPEAKER_00: I'll take a fat line judge being a couple steps and missing an offside, being a couple steps behind and missing an offside instead of getting these moments where we don't know whether we could celebrate or not, or we do celebrate and then it's called back, or I just don't like all that.
14:31
SPEAKER_00: And I especially hate when it feels the need to interject out of nowhere when nothing was called on the pitch and then become the entire storyline from a game.
14:42
SPEAKER_00: So that's where again I I don't want to talk about the bad in this tournament, but it is something we have to discuss.
14:48
SPEAKER_01: Fair enough, fair enough.
14:49
SPEAKER_01: And and just one last question before we switch to move forward, Sean.
14:55
SPEAKER_01: The VAR offside.
14:57
SPEAKER_01: I know there's debates on if people like it, if people don't like it, but they're using these, I guess, 3D images of the players that they got before the games to do these diagrams and these drawings.
15:09
SPEAKER_01: Do you appreciate the precision?
15:11
SPEAKER_01: And the reason I'm asking this, Sean, is because obviously 10-15 years ago we had no VAR at all.
15:17
SPEAKER_01: So it's that line judge, he or she is making a call and you stick with it.
15:21
SPEAKER_01: We went to VAR where it was used, but maybe not down to the toenail of a player.
15:29
SPEAKER_01: Now we have it where every possible inch of the player is being recorded.
15:35
SPEAKER_01: Do you prefer that we're just in this zone where we're fully automated and it's exactly precise, or did you like when we had a little bit of that ambiguity before?
15:46
SPEAKER_01: Do you know what I mean?
15:47
SPEAKER_01: Like I feel like now it's it it's and I I I kind of can go both ways, so I just want to I want to know how you feel, but I feel like now it's so precise where you know your right shoulder's offside, meanwhile you kick the ball in.
15:58
SPEAKER_01: So it's like, what does my right shoulder have to do with that?
16:01
SPEAKER_01: So I don't know, how do you feel?
16:03
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think the way they frame it is if it's a part of the body that can legally score a goal, that's where they draw the line.
16:08
SPEAKER_00: So your hand being offside doesn't matter because it's your hand, you can't score with your hand.
16:11
SPEAKER_00: That that part to me, that specific part is fine, but I do agree with your question.
16:15
SPEAKER_00: It's like I don't know what's worse, what's Celeste of Two Evils at this point, because I hate a toenail being offside, going to VAR and then being overturned and not given as a goal.
16:27
SPEAKER_00: I think maybe the answer would be some wiggle room on that line that they draw.
16:32
SPEAKER_00: Instead of drawing the world's thinnest line to draw offside, maybe we give some wiggle room because do we actually know the millisecond the ball was kicked and left that player's boot?
16:42
SPEAKER_00: I don't know that we do.
16:43
SPEAKER_00: And if you don't know that, then I think you have to have a little bit of wiggle room built into that line that you draw.
16:48
SPEAKER_00: So I think that's one way where we could maybe help defenders out a bit, or we could help attackers out a bit in in some instances, where you're able to draw a thicker line and have a little bit of room for interpretation, I guess.
17:01
SPEAKER_00: Because I guess with VAR, like I don't mind the automated really quick review for onside-offside.
17:08
SPEAKER_00: Uh you know, because that's something that is it feels like we can get right.
17:12
SPEAKER_00: It's it's an exact science, so to speak.
17:14
SPEAKER_00: If the technology's in place, I'm all for using that.
17:17
SPEAKER_00: It's just when we make it so like down in the details and we get so specific, and then you hear after the match that, well, actually we uh don't know the exact millisecond a ball was kicked, and that's when the line's drawn when it appears to leave a foot.
17:35
SPEAKER_00: Or in some instances, like the Pelican Red card, they're not supposed to use slow-down video for VAR or still images, but they did in this case for some reason.
17:45
SPEAKER_00: I just don't know.
17:46
SPEAKER_00: I think I hate to use the term game's gone.
17:48
SPEAKER_00: I think we need some way to reel this in and just use common sense committee.
17:52
SPEAKER_00: We need a common sense committee in place, have them iron it out.
17:57
SPEAKER_00: And I think there are uses to technology that will improve the game.
18:01
SPEAKER_00: I'm just not sure, as we're currently seeing it, it's the best way to go about it.
18:05
SPEAKER_00: I'm interested to hear what you think about that though.
18:08
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I I like the way you're you're talking about it.
18:11
SPEAKER_01: I think that's an accurate uh description.
18:14
SPEAKER_01: It's almost like with the the line and the millisecond of kicking the ball, it's almost like they're using a uh like a colored pencil and they should use one of those fat markers to draw the line.
18:25
SPEAKER_00: When you use when you used to do like uh whatever that notepad or paint is when you used to go on as a kid and you could collect the thickness of your marker, we need a thicker marker.
18:35
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, we're we're drawing a dental floss, and it's it's not exact because that to me, like that's something we could get right.
18:43
SPEAKER_00: Like that's in our own control.
18:44
SPEAKER_00: That's like, okay, here's a line that we could draw with the technology, we could get the exact time the ball was played with that chip in the ball, and it could happen really quickly where it doesn't really disrupt the game.
18:55
SPEAKER_00: Okay, I'm all for those things if we get them right.
18:58
SPEAKER_00: What I'm not all for is VAR saying, Hey, wait a second here, ref.
19:02
SPEAKER_00: I know you didn't see anything on the pitch, and hardly any players are protesting, but we noticed something up here, and it looked like a push, actually.
19:10
SPEAKER_00: So why don't you come on over and take a look?
19:12
SPEAKER_00: That's where I have a problem because those guys aren't in the arena, they're in a closet somewhere, they're in a shoebox, just like looking at a screen, being like, it looks like a push on the keeper.
19:22
SPEAKER_00: Well, dude, nobody claimed push on the keeper on the pitch.
19:25
SPEAKER_00: Like they're all playing, there's 22 of them out there.
19:28
SPEAKER_00: I didn't see one really adamantly protesting for a foul, and then VAR comes in and's like, hey, here I am.
19:34
SPEAKER_00: Here's my story about my time in the French Riviera.
19:37
SPEAKER_00: It's like, piss off, please.
19:39
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, we I I don't disagree with you.
19:41
SPEAKER_01: I think the technology is there and it's developing, it's getting better, but we have to find that line between, okay, we still have human referees.
19:50
SPEAKER_01: Because at this point, it's like just have the whole game automated.
19:53
SPEAKER_01: Have somebody watching in in Dallas in this in the shoebox that you mentioned, and they can automate the whistles from there.
19:59
SPEAKER_01: Because if if we're gonna act like we want to be all technology forward, then make everything that way and they're make nothing subjective.
20:06
SPEAKER_00: I still have a question for you.
20:07
SPEAKER_00: Are the refs that are sitting in that shoebox, are they in uniform?
20:12
SPEAKER_00: They are in a uniform.
20:13
SPEAKER_01: And now that you say that is that is very odd because they'll they're not in the building.
20:18
SPEAKER_01: So it's not like you know the referee goes down and you have to pull one out of the box to go ref.
20:23
SPEAKER_01: There, there's no chance they ref, they're not in the same city, they're not in the same city.
20:27
SPEAKER_00: It's like if we went to the like the NBA introduced their instant replay in Hoboken.
20:33
SPEAKER_00: It's like if we had the crew full of video editors in Hoboken in referee in star in in the stripes, the footwalker uniforms.
20:40
SPEAKER_00: What are we talking about?
20:41
SPEAKER_00: Why are these guys in full ref kits?
20:45
SPEAKER_00: Oh we've lost the plot a little bit in terms of all of that.
20:49
SPEAKER_00: But hopefully, all you can hope is that it doesn't become a bigger storyline throughout the rest of the tournament.
20:55
SPEAKER_00: But when it's operating like this, you know it's gonna.
20:59
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's an unfortunate precursor because I I can feel it coming, and you're only gonna get bigger egos as the rounds get deeper.
21:06
SPEAKER_01: Those VIR guys wanna want to be able to go home and tell their friends, hey, you remember that call in that game?
21:11
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I I helped to make it.
21:13
SPEAKER_01: So more to come on that, Sean.
21:14
SPEAKER_01: I'm sure we'll be criticizing.
21:17
SPEAKER_01: But switching gears, Sean, round of 16, previews, we'll we're gonna go through the games and we can do light predictions, how we think the games are gonna go.
21:28
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I mean, we got some games coming up, my friend.
21:33
SPEAKER_01: It's we thought 32 had some matches.
21:36
SPEAKER_01: The round of 16, these matches, we're just gonna say it now.
21:39
SPEAKER_01: If if you have a chance to watch these games this weekend and early next week, do it because it's look, it's gonna be 97 degrees outside.
21:47
SPEAKER_01: You don't wanna get in the heat wave, you don't wanna, you know, die of of heat stroke outside.
21:52
SPEAKER_01: Grab a drink, get in front of the TV, grab your friends.
21:56
SPEAKER_01: I know we're celebrating USA, but these games.
22:00
SPEAKER_01: Games are going to be incredible.
22:01
SPEAKER_00: And you know what, Brendan, quickly, as a as a tip of the cap to 250 years of this country, turn that AC down one extra degree and just kind of rub it in the French's face.
22:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you might have Mbappe, you might have Barcala and Douai and Olysse.
22:14
SPEAKER_00: Guess what?
22:14
SPEAKER_00: We have air conditioning.
22:16
SPEAKER_00: So just a little on the fourth when you're watching these games, just take it down one more, enjoy yourself, splurge a little bit.
22:24
SPEAKER_01: I like that.
22:24
SPEAKER_01: I like that.
22:25
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
22:26
SPEAKER_01: Let your hair down.
22:27
SPEAKER_01: Enjoy, enjoy the extra degree.
22:29
SPEAKER_01: I I feel that shot.
22:30
SPEAKER_01: Speaking of the fourth, Sean, starting July 4th, our first two matches of the round of 16.
22:37
SPEAKER_01: We have Canada, Morocco, and Paraguay, France.
22:41
SPEAKER_01: Sean, talking Canada, Morocco first.
22:44
SPEAKER_01: Canada has been an interesting team.
22:47
SPEAKER_01: I think we've said on this podcast we're not Jesse Marsh fans, and we know he'll find a way to make this about him on uh on Saturday, but they're playing Morocco.
22:58
SPEAKER_01: Morocco is a very, very good team, one of the best in Africa, honestly.
23:03
SPEAKER_01: I I think this game, in my opinion, Morocco does win.
23:07
SPEAKER_01: Uh Canada will not be playing in Canada, so they do lose that home field advantage.
23:11
SPEAKER_01: The game, I believe, is in Houston, Texas.
23:13
SPEAKER_01: My prediction, Sean, I put 2-0 on Morocco.
23:15
SPEAKER_01: How do you feel about this one?
23:17
SPEAKER_00: First of all, I have the same exact score line.
23:19
SPEAKER_00: So love that.
23:20
SPEAKER_00: The boys, let's say this.
23:22
SPEAKER_00: We had a we had a little bit of a shaky performance in the round of 32.
23:26
SPEAKER_00: We're coming, we're going 8 for 8.
23:28
SPEAKER_00: 8 for 8 in the round of the round of 16.
23:31
SPEAKER_00: So that's the goal.
23:32
SPEAKER_00: I do think this is a must-win for Morocco.
23:35
SPEAKER_00: I'm almost equally a Morocco fan to United States fan this week because I can't do another round of Jesse Marsh.
23:42
SPEAKER_00: I can't do another round of these Canadians.
23:44
SPEAKER_00: Brandon, we put out a clip of kind of, yeah, we were shitting on Jesse Marsh and his gene selection.
23:49
SPEAKER_00: The Canadians in the comments, Brandon.
23:51
SPEAKER_00: Oh my god, are they look at me, look at me, Canadian flag, we're in your heads?
23:55
SPEAKER_00: You're in our comments.
23:56
SPEAKER_00: Guys, you know what I mean?
23:58
SPEAKER_00: Like, we're we hate Jesse Marsh, yeah, we do.
24:01
SPEAKER_00: But you guys are defending him as if, like, I mean, stop.
24:04
SPEAKER_00: You beat South Africa for goodness sakes.
24:06
SPEAKER_00: You didn't win your group.
24:08
SPEAKER_00: You you you you had nobody in LA.
24:10
SPEAKER_00: I don't know.
24:11
SPEAKER_00: I like, I said, if you guys listen to the episode, I said I like the Canadian people, I hate Jesse Marsh.
24:15
SPEAKER_00: He's an American, mind you, parading around as a Canadian.
24:18
SPEAKER_00: I was saying I hate one of our own.
24:20
SPEAKER_00: You guys took offense to it.
24:22
SPEAKER_00: Now I'm all in on Morocco.
24:24
SPEAKER_00: I do think they're so much more skilled.
24:26
SPEAKER_00: Their technical ability is incredible.
24:29
SPEAKER_00: Almost every guy out there has a calmness on the ball.
24:32
SPEAKER_00: They're really fun to watch, Morocco.
24:34
SPEAKER_00: I thought they were the better team against the Dutch and deserved a win, if just slightly.
24:39
SPEAKER_00: I think if they give the same type of performance against Canada, they will walk away victorious.
24:43
SPEAKER_00: This is also a very hopeful pick.
24:45
SPEAKER_00: This is a combination of head and heart.
24:47
SPEAKER_00: Those are the ones that really hurt when you get wrong.
24:49
SPEAKER_00: So let's please, please, Moroccans, find a way to get this done.
24:53
SPEAKER_01: Sean, and you mentioned us going eight for eight.
24:56
SPEAKER_01: Listeners, we did not practice this, so I don't know what Sean's gonna pick for some of these games.
25:01
SPEAKER_00: So totally different.
25:02
SPEAKER_00: I know for factory and have one different.
25:04
SPEAKER_03: So yeah, so we may not go eight for eight.
25:11
SPEAKER_01: Sean, the other game we have on the fourth Saturday, the fourth, we have Paraguay France.
25:17
SPEAKER_01: I'll let you do your prediction first before I give mine, since I went first on the last one.
25:22
SPEAKER_00: Hand up on Paraguay.
25:24
SPEAKER_00: Uh, neither of us gave him a chance against Germany.
25:26
SPEAKER_00: I will say I'm not gonna point the finger anywhere, but I did have in my notes Paraguay maybe could give him a tough game.
25:32
SPEAKER_00: And then Brandon started talking.
25:33
SPEAKER_00: I was like, you know what?
25:34
SPEAKER_00: Brandon's right, 100%.
25:35
SPEAKER_00: Paraguay are gonna get battered.
25:37
SPEAKER_00: And then it turns out I said what Brandon said.
25:40
SPEAKER_00: I was like, yeah, I'll just copy, copy, and paste.
25:42
SPEAKER_00: Both dead wrong.
25:43
SPEAKER_00: So hand up there.
25:44
SPEAKER_00: The I I I'm I do I hate to go back to the well, but Paraguay are gonna get battered here.
25:50
SPEAKER_00: They they just can't play with France.
25:53
SPEAKER_00: The French are a different level than Germany.
25:56
SPEAKER_00: I still am hoping for this French blow-up to be incoming, but when are they gonna face a real team?
26:01
SPEAKER_00: I don't know.
26:02
SPEAKER_00: They they played Norway as a real opponent, Norway doesn't play their best two players.
26:06
SPEAKER_00: So, but the French have been the story of the tournament in terms of who has looked the best.
26:10
SPEAKER_00: I think this will be a little bit more challenging.
26:13
SPEAKER_00: At least I'll say again, maybe those first 50 minutes Paraguay hang tight in there.
26:18
SPEAKER_00: But it's gonna be a hot, hot day in Philadelphia, and I think that French attack, when you have so much of the ball and you're chasing the ball in the heat throughout most of the game, I just don't know how sustainable that is.
26:28
SPEAKER_00: I think I don't know if the floodgates will open necessarily, but I think that the French are never really worried in this one and they take care of business.
26:35
SPEAKER_00: I'll go 3-0 again.
26:37
SPEAKER_01: Okay, okay.
26:38
SPEAKER_01: I'm on the same wavelength as you.
26:41
SPEAKER_01: So just so if Paraguay does win this, I'm following your lead.
26:44
SPEAKER_01: Uh there we go, then it's even.
26:48
SPEAKER_01: But I I do I do agree.
26:50
SPEAKER_01: The France the French attack is is just too strong.
26:52
SPEAKER_01: And Paraguay, there's hope, and and they'll they'll put a lot of effort in, and they have some quality going forward.
27:00
SPEAKER_01: I just don't think their defense can hold out France.
27:02
SPEAKER_01: Uh, I put 3-1.
27:04
SPEAKER_01: I do think Paraguay do sneak one in, but at the end of the day, yeah, same.
27:09
SPEAKER_01: I hope it doesn't get to be 5-6 and 7-0.
27:13
SPEAKER_01: But the reality is with France's attack, it could.
27:16
SPEAKER_01: So 3-1, you said 3-0, so pretty same similar wavelengths there.
27:21
SPEAKER_01: Sean, now we'll look at Sunday.
27:24
SPEAKER_01: Sunday, this first game, Sean.
27:27
SPEAKER_01: We have Brazil, Norway.
27:30
SPEAKER_01: I'll take it first.
27:31
SPEAKER_01: I'll take it first since you went first last time.
27:34
SPEAKER_01: I do have the Brazilians winning.
27:36
SPEAKER_01: However, I think this one goes to a shootout, Sean.
27:40
SPEAKER_01: I think we go 2-2, have extra time, no goal scored an extra time, and we go to a shootout.
27:47
SPEAKER_01: And I think the Brazilians, with Neymar Jr.
27:51
SPEAKER_01: making the fifth and final penalty, take it over Norway.
27:57
SPEAKER_00: Absolute cinema that would be.
27:59
SPEAKER_00: Brandon, I love that prediction, honestly.
28:01
SPEAKER_00: I would sign right up for that type of game.
28:03
SPEAKER_00: This is where the games begin.
28:04
SPEAKER_00: We talked about the games on Saturday.
28:06
SPEAKER_00: Good games, but it's the 4th of July.
28:08
SPEAKER_00: They're not great games, let's be honest.
28:10
SPEAKER_00: Sunday, Monday, hitters only.
28:14
SPEAKER_00: I mean, these games are going to slap.
28:16
SPEAKER_00: This is gonna be awesome.
28:18
SPEAKER_00: I do agree I have Brazil winning.
28:19
SPEAKER_00: It's gonna be Brazil with more of the ball, Norway looking to be dangerous on the counter, as they often are.
28:25
SPEAKER_00: They've blistering pace with Holland up there.
28:27
SPEAKER_00: He's gotta be intimidating, especially against kind of an elderly back line for Brazil.
28:33
SPEAKER_00: You know, Marquinhos is up there, Danilo at right back, Douglas Louise.
28:36
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, they they're a bit, they're they're all in their 30s there, except for Gabriel.
28:40
SPEAKER_00: So I do think Brazil will win, but I don't think you're wrong at all for saying extra time should be expected and maybe even penalties.
28:50
SPEAKER_00: It's just when it gets to penalties, how do you predict that?
28:52
SPEAKER_00: You know, it's just a it's a crapshoot.
28:54
SPEAKER_00: I'll say Brazil find a way to win it in extra time.
28:57
SPEAKER_00: So I will go 3-2 in added extra time.
29:00
SPEAKER_00: Brazil, but boy, oh boy, is that a tasty, tasty start to the action on Sunday before we get to maybe the main event of the whole shebang.
29:09
SPEAKER_01: I'm glad you I'm glad you mentioned that, Sean.
29:12
SPEAKER_01: I put game of the round, in my opinion, this next one.
29:14
SPEAKER_01: We have Mexico, England, Sunday night in the Azteca, Mexico City Stadium.
29:21
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I I I'll let you go because I I I don't know what to say.
29:25
SPEAKER_01: I this game for me, if this doesn't turn out to be the game of the the tournament, or so far, I I don't know what will because this everything is lining up for this to be absolute fireworks.
29:36
SPEAKER_00: Oh my gosh.
29:37
SPEAKER_00: The the scenes at the STECA when they beat Ecuador in the lead up to that game were absolutely incredible.
29:43
SPEAKER_00: They are going to be even more incredible for this one.
29:47
SPEAKER_00: This is a once-in-a-generation type game, honestly.
29:50
SPEAKER_00: Just the clash of styles, the clash of cultures, the English fans traveling south of the border.
29:56
SPEAKER_00: It's it's all setting up for an absolute belter of a game.
29:59
SPEAKER_00: I could not be more excited to watch a game than I am to watch this one because the United States game, yes, I'm excited to watch, but I'm also very nervous.
30:06
SPEAKER_00: This game, I want the Mexico I want Mexico to win.
30:09
SPEAKER_00: And it's weird because I'm deciding between two of the United States' biggest rivals, probably.
30:13
SPEAKER_00: You know, it's like a it's an inferiority complex with the English.
30:18
SPEAKER_00: That's why they're kind of a rival.
30:19
SPEAKER_00: And then with Mexico, they're our they're our neighbor.
30:21
SPEAKER_00: We go to battle with them a lot, dosaceros, but this is just has all the makings, Brandon.
30:27
SPEAKER_00: Like I said, I do think this game, we've seen England play pretty bad the last few games, and it's been against low blocks.
30:34
SPEAKER_00: I don't think they're very imaginative.
30:36
SPEAKER_00: I don't think they're cut out to play against that.
30:39
SPEAKER_00: They've proven they're not.
30:40
SPEAKER_00: They struggle, and Congo look really good on the counter against them.
30:45
SPEAKER_00: This game, I actually don't think will be against the low block, and I actually think it'll make England look a lot better.
30:51
SPEAKER_00: I think Mexico are gonna come out and play.
30:53
SPEAKER_00: They're not gonna be scared of anybody, especially on home soil, and I think that's going to benefit England.
30:58
SPEAKER_00: Now, I don't know necessarily that it'll mean England will win, but I think we see a lot better version of this English side against Mexico.
31:06
SPEAKER_00: Even if it's a tougher opponent, it's an opponent that's gonna want the ball as much as they do, and I think that'll create some openings for them and attack.
31:14
SPEAKER_00: I am gonna go 2-2 again, Brandon, and I think this one goes to penalties, and I don't know where to go.
31:21
SPEAKER_00: Oh, would I love to see England go out on penalties again?
31:24
SPEAKER_00: Would I love it?
31:25
SPEAKER_00: Just Harry needs to make his, but I do I don't know what to say.
31:29
SPEAKER_00: I'll say Mexico on penalties.
31:31
SPEAKER_01: Wow.
31:32
SPEAKER_01: Okay, so listeners, this is where we defer for the first time.
31:36
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I picked England to win the World Cup.
31:39
SPEAKER_01: I can't pick against them in this one, but I do think this game will be tight.
31:43
SPEAKER_01: I love the point you made about Mexico not sitting in that low block, because you know if Mexico sits in a low block, their fans will let them hear it.
31:50
SPEAKER_01: I I mean it won't even be a coaching change.
31:53
SPEAKER_01: The the fans themselves will get will get on their own team, and the whistles will come, the booze will come, and and Mexico will have to abandon that plan.
32:02
SPEAKER_01: I think Mexico will try to play the open style and they'll try to get on the front foot.
32:06
SPEAKER_01: They're at home, they're in their national stadium.
32:08
SPEAKER_01: This is the game of the generation for them.
32:12
SPEAKER_01: They're gonna want to show the world what they have.
32:14
SPEAKER_01: And like you said, I think an open game does definitely help England style a lot.
32:19
SPEAKER_01: I do think it will be a close game, though.
32:21
SPEAKER_01: I am not I'm not, you know, this English guy who I'm not even English, but I'm not this English fan who's who's oh, we're gonna beat everybody in the world, it's gonna be easy, we're gonna walk to the final.
32:31
SPEAKER_01: No, none of that.
32:31
SPEAKER_01: I think this will be 3-2.
32:33
SPEAKER_01: I think there'll be some goals in it.
32:35
SPEAKER_01: I think both teams will have their moments, but I think ultimately England prevails with a 3-2 win.
32:43
SPEAKER_01: But Sean, that one's gonna be special.
32:45
SPEAKER_01: So this is a clear your calendars, you know, yeah, get rid of your plants.
32:50
SPEAKER_00: This is it.
32:51
SPEAKER_00: That's right.
32:51
SPEAKER_00: This is the only thing we should all be worried about.
32:53
SPEAKER_00: And it's interesting, Brandon.
32:55
SPEAKER_00: I think if I was being if you give me truth serum, what my head thinks is going to happen, I think I would pick England.
33:01
SPEAKER_00: I genuinely do think like for if we're making official predictions for who will win, I would probably sign my name next to England.
33:07
SPEAKER_00: But I have to go with my heart, and I picked Mexico to make the quarterfinal, so I just have to do it.
33:12
SPEAKER_00: And I'll ride with them.
33:13
SPEAKER_00: I'll ride ride or die here with the Mexicans.
33:15
SPEAKER_00: It's gonna be it's gonna be tough.
33:17
SPEAKER_00: It's gonna be a great game.
33:18
SPEAKER_00: I couldn't be more excited for that.
33:20
SPEAKER_00: And then we go right from that into Monday, and it's like, how lucky are we?
33:24
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I was gonna say, if you if you don't fancy Sunday's games for whatever reason, can I interview with two more on Monday?
33:31
SPEAKER_01: We we're gonna start Monday afternoon off, Sean.
33:34
SPEAKER_01: Unfortunately, you're gonna be in the office, probably back to work first day after break.
33:38
SPEAKER_01: It's a it's a rough one, but you gotta find a way to get it, get it on the screen.
33:41
SPEAKER_01: Spain, Portugal, Sean.
33:43
SPEAKER_01: I mean, you're talking heavy hitters on both sides.
33:48
SPEAKER_01: Maybe Ronaldo's last game if they go out.
33:50
SPEAKER_01: The quality in these midfields, it this might be the best midfield matchup that we could see in this tournament.
33:58
SPEAKER_01: And I'll probably stand by that.
34:00
SPEAKER_01: But it's gonna be it's gonna be special one, Sean.
34:03
SPEAKER_01: I'll go first on my prediction.
34:05
SPEAKER_01: I think Portugal just hasn't inspired me.
34:08
SPEAKER_01: And I had Portugal making a run.
34:09
SPEAKER_01: I had them as a dark horse to win the World Cup.
34:12
SPEAKER_01: Unfortunately, Sean, I think I'm gonna go against them here.
34:14
SPEAKER_01: I my my heart my heart says Portugal, of course, because that's what I put on paper and I said that's that's who I want, but my head is saying Spain, and I think I'm gonna follow my head on this one.
34:25
SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna go Spain 3-1.
34:28
SPEAKER_01: Laminamal honestly hasn't even really unlocked himself in this tournament yet.
34:33
SPEAKER_01: I think he still has room to come out and shine, and this might be the game, but that Spanish midfield, the opportunities they create for their forwards, it is absurd, and I think it's gonna be just a little too much.
34:45
SPEAKER_01: And then there, you know, you have wing backs, Cucaria and Pedro Porro scoring, getting assists.
34:51
SPEAKER_01: I mean, everybody's involved in the attack for that Spanish team, and I can't see Portugal stopping.
34:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, Brandon, I think you laid that out perfectly in terms of what we've seen so far from these sides.
35:00
SPEAKER_00: The midfield battle is gonna be spectacular.
35:03
SPEAKER_00: I had also in my notes Spain 3-1.
35:05
SPEAKER_00: I was thinking 3-0, but I do think Portugal find one somehow.
35:10
SPEAKER_00: Spain haven't conceded the goal yet this tournament.
35:12
SPEAKER_00: They haven't looked likely to concede a goal yet this tournament.
35:16
SPEAKER_00: Their XG for all four games that they've played is still under one goal total.
35:20
SPEAKER_00: So yeah, they are just dominant at this point, and I think the last two we've really seen them find their form.
35:27
SPEAKER_00: Obviously, out of the gate against Cape Verde makes big news, a draw, goalless draw.
35:32
SPEAKER_00: They didn't have Lamino Mall at all, really.
35:35
SPEAKER_00: Maybe he came off, it wasn't it wasn't him himself, he came off the bench.
35:38
SPEAKER_00: I think this Spanish side have found their footing, even if Lamino Mall isn't 100%.
35:44
SPEAKER_00: I think he looks about 80%.
35:46
SPEAKER_00: He doesn't really look like the Lamin I know.
35:48
SPEAKER_00: Maybe he's saving it for a game like this.
35:50
SPEAKER_00: That sounds likely to me, but this is an Iberian Derby.
35:54
SPEAKER_00: I mean, this is two teams that can't stand each other.
35:57
SPEAKER_00: I think it's gonna be so fun to watch.
35:59
SPEAKER_00: I do think Spain will have more of the ball, as they always do, and they're just so fun to watch when they do have it.
36:04
SPEAKER_00: Some people find it boring, the Tiki Taca passing back and forth.
36:08
SPEAKER_00: I find it incredibly fun to watch.
36:10
SPEAKER_00: It's just a bunch of really, really good players that all are so comfortable and the ball's at their feet.
36:17
SPEAKER_00: Pedri, every time he plays, he's a joy to watch.
36:20
SPEAKER_00: I think he'll dictate the game again for Spain as he always does.
36:23
SPEAKER_00: I think Lominum all does have his big moment in this one.
36:26
SPEAKER_00: I think it's here he is, goal.
36:29
SPEAKER_00: Maybe it's the second goal, maybe it's the first, but I think this is a okay, I'm here.
36:33
SPEAKER_00: All the other elites are showing up.
36:34
SPEAKER_00: Here I am too.
36:36
SPEAKER_00: So I'm gonna go Spain 3-1 right there with you.
36:38
SPEAKER_00: I think it'll be a good game.
36:40
SPEAKER_00: I do think Spain are a better team at this point.
36:42
SPEAKER_01: I like that prediction, Sean.
36:43
SPEAKER_01: And as much as I would love to see the Lamin Yamall coming out party, I also know you have personal personal interest in that, so I don't want to see that just for your player pool points.
36:54
SPEAKER_01: But uh I forgot I had Lamin, he's not done anything.
36:57
SPEAKER_01: I would I would love a couple goals Lamin, please.
37:00
SPEAKER_01: And Sean, so Spain, Portugal, I don't want to discredit that game and call it the appetizer, but for us Americans, that's the appetizer.
37:08
SPEAKER_01: The main course, USA Belgium, Monday night, 8 p.m.
37:12
SPEAKER_01: in Seattle.
37:13
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I hate I know you're excited, I know you want to get into this.
37:17
SPEAKER_01: I just gotta put a small, small pause on that because we are going to break down that game in full in just a couple moments here.
37:24
SPEAKER_01: Sean, before before we do that breakdown, I just want to go over Tuesday's games, which are still TBD, but we can just talk what we think's gonna happen.
37:33
SPEAKER_01: So Tuesday, the the early game, we have Switzerland versus the winner of Colombia and Ghana, and then the winner of the Argentina Cape Verde game against the winner of the Australia-Egypt game.
37:46
SPEAKER_01: Both of these games are taking place, all three of these games are taking place on Friday, uh, to determine those final three spots.
37:52
SPEAKER_01: Sean, Switzerland versus Colombia, Ghana.
37:56
SPEAKER_01: First, where do you think that game's gonna go?
37:58
SPEAKER_01: Do you think that will be Switzerland, Colombia, or Switzerland, Ghana?
38:02
SPEAKER_01: And then if you were to predict as of now, what are you thinking?
38:07
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's tough.
38:08
SPEAKER_00: I I think I'm gonna pick Colombia to beat Ghana, and I think I'm gonna pick Columbia to beat Switzerland, but it's risky to take the team that's not assuredly in the next match to win both.
38:17
SPEAKER_00: But I just I have a good feeling with this Columbia side, they've been fun to watch, their fans have been energetic and great throughout the tournament.
38:23
SPEAKER_00: I think we'll see them beat Ghana.
38:26
SPEAKER_00: I feel decently comfortable with that, but who knows?
38:28
SPEAKER_00: You know, I'm wrong quite often.
38:30
SPEAKER_00: But I do think they're a better team.
38:32
SPEAKER_00: And then against Switzerland, that that'll be a really good game.
38:34
SPEAKER_00: Switzerland have grown into the tournament, they look strong, they they have been good as a national team in the in recent years.
38:42
SPEAKER_00: They have a real sense about them now, it feels like.
38:44
SPEAKER_00: I don't think it'll be easy, but I will pick Columbia to advance to the quarterfinals.
38:50
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
38:51
SPEAKER_01: I think we do differ a bit here, and again, this is without knowing the Columbia Ghana winner.
38:56
SPEAKER_01: I do think Colombia to squeeze by Ghana.
39:00
SPEAKER_01: I do I do think they have just enough quality to get by Ghana.
39:04
SPEAKER_01: I do think Ghana is a sneaky team, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win this one, especially with how crazy this round of 32 has been, Sean.
39:12
SPEAKER_01: But I do think Switzerland can beat Colombia.
39:15
SPEAKER_01: I don't think they'll be the favorite on paper.
39:17
SPEAKER_01: I think Columbia would be the favorite on paper, but Switzerland has just been such an organized team, they've just gone about their business.
39:23
SPEAKER_01: It's very, it's not necessarily the most exciting team to watch, but they're so disciplined, they stay, they know their ability, they know what they can and can't do, and they don't really stray out of that.
39:33
SPEAKER_01: And there's there's a little bit of quality in that where it's like, hey, we know what we're good at, we're gonna stick to that, and we're gonna play that that style.
39:41
SPEAKER_01: They played Algeria to win their round of 32 game, and I thought besides the first 10-15 minutes, they were pretty much in control of the game.
39:52
SPEAKER_01: And I think if they can get an early goal against Colombia, they'll try to do that again.
39:56
SPEAKER_01: Granted, Colombia's attack, I think, is a little bit better than Algeria's attack, so they will be they'll have to stay on that back foot, defending a lot more than they did against Algeria.
40:06
SPEAKER_01: But I do think Switzerland can sneak into the quarterfinals, which was one of my dark horse predictions.
40:13
SPEAKER_01: So I'll stick with Switzerland for that one.
40:15
SPEAKER_01: The second game, Sean, this one, again, we don't know any of the four teams that are going to be in this.
40:20
SPEAKER_01: Uh, we have the winner of Australia, Egypt versus Argentina, Cape Verde.
40:25
SPEAKER_01: I think we can both say Argentina will beat Cape Verde.
40:28
SPEAKER_01: Cape Verde, great story, probably one of our favorites in this whole tournament, but unfortunately, I think this is where their journey comes to an end.
40:38
SPEAKER_01: Do you agree?
40:39
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it would be a true shock.
40:41
SPEAKER_00: Otherwise, I'm not ruling it out entirely.
40:43
SPEAKER_00: I've seen I've seen some things now at this point, but I think Argentina, it would be insane for me to come on here and predict them to lose.
40:50
SPEAKER_00: So I will not be doing that.
40:51
SPEAKER_00: I will I think I think it's safe for both of us to just kind of chalk Argentina into the quarterfinals from this little foursome.
40:58
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I agree.
40:59
SPEAKER_01: I was gonna say Australia, Egypt, that game could go either way.
41:02
SPEAKER_01: I think Egypt probably pulls through.
41:05
SPEAKER_01: I I don't love Australia offensively.
41:08
SPEAKER_01: But I think Egypt can take advantage of that, and and I think they get through, but Australia excuse me.
41:15
SPEAKER_01: Argentina, Egypt.
41:16
SPEAKER_01: I still think Argentina has more quality than Egypt.
41:19
SPEAKER_01: I think honestly, Sean, I think they could be a 3-1-4-1 kind of win for them.
41:24
SPEAKER_00: So Yeah, I wouldn't see Egypt even getting a goal in that one, maybe.
41:28
SPEAKER_00: Honestly, yeah, Argentina should be comfy comfy with these two matchups.
41:32
SPEAKER_00: They just need to show up and perform, and it they should have a relatively smooth sail into the quarterfinals.
41:39
SPEAKER_01: Okay, okay.
41:40
SPEAKER_01: Agree with you there, Sean.
41:42
SPEAKER_01: We've teased it.
41:44
SPEAKER_01: We mentioned this is the main course.
41:45
SPEAKER_01: Sean, let's get into the meet and drink of this.
41:48
SPEAKER_01: We have the US men's national team, Belgium, Monday night, 8 p.m.
41:52
SPEAKER_01: in Seattle, 8 p.m.
41:54
SPEAKER_01: Eastern, because we are an East Coast podcast, as Sean has mentioned previously.
41:58
SPEAKER_01: Sean, before we get into the prediction for the game, do you want to just give us a little bit of a breakdown on Belgium for those that maybe haven't seen a lot of their games?
42:07
SPEAKER_01: They've had, in my opinion, a pretty unimpressive group stage and really an unimpressive round of 32 win.
42:14
SPEAKER_01: Just the late, some late luck and some interesting calls by the referees have helped them to get into this round of 16.
42:21
SPEAKER_01: So just give us a quick breakdown on Belgium and and what you see from them.
42:25
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think you you're right in saying that it's been a little shaky.
42:29
SPEAKER_00: How on earth they survived against Senegal, I will not know.
42:33
SPEAKER_00: It is the latest comeback from two goals down in World Cup history.
42:37
SPEAKER_00: 85th minute, trailing by two.
42:39
SPEAKER_00: They somehow forced extra time and then win it on a controversial penalty, as you alluded to in Extra Time.
42:45
SPEAKER_00: So they survived in advance.
42:46
SPEAKER_00: Hey, credit to them.
42:48
SPEAKER_00: They had one win and two draws in the group stage, and I would say they failed to impress at any point so far in this World Cup, other than those four minutes against Senegal.
42:57
SPEAKER_00: Aside from that, they really have not inspired me much at all.
43:01
SPEAKER_00: I expected big things from Jeremy Doku, who will likely be starting for them on one of their wings.
43:08
SPEAKER_00: He's been not himself, to say the least.
43:10
SPEAKER_00: I know he's been sick for a match.
43:12
SPEAKER_00: He had this childbirth that he had to travel home for for another.
43:15
SPEAKER_00: I don't know exactly what the situation is with him, but he was the guy who I thought would be the engine for Belgium.
43:21
SPEAKER_00: He he created the most chances in the Premier League this season, had the most successful dribbles, I believe.
43:25
SPEAKER_00: Just a really, really tricky player to deal with.
43:28
SPEAKER_00: But really, it's been Leandro Trossard, opposite of him, who has created the most chances so far in this tournament.
43:34
SPEAKER_00: He's created 16 goal scoring opportunities, which surprised me because I didn't think Belgium had 16 goal scoring opportunities from what I had seen.
43:41
SPEAKER_00: He will play out on wide on one side, Doku will play out wide on the other.
43:46
SPEAKER_00: I still think this will be the difference in this game for the United States.
43:51
SPEAKER_00: The way that Belgium want to play is they want to cycle the ball to those wide areas, they want to get Doku running at you.
44:00
SPEAKER_00: On the outside.
44:01
SPEAKER_00: They want to get Trossard in space on the outside that he can cross in a ball or create a chance.
44:07
SPEAKER_00: So it'll be a bit different because this is the first team United States played where they do have close to world-class skill in those positions, even if Doku, who is world class, has been underperforming.
44:17
SPEAKER_00: I think that'll force the United States players like Jedi Robinson and Sergio Dest, who have been sort of de facto attackers throughout our game so far.
44:26
SPEAKER_00: I do think that'll pin us back a bit at times.
44:29
SPEAKER_00: So I think it'll force our wing backs to be a bit more defense-minded and a bit more cognizant, especially when a guy like Doku has the ball.
44:37
SPEAKER_00: You can't really deal with him one-on-one.
44:39
SPEAKER_00: Especially, I don't want Tim Reim out in a wide area ever with Jeremy Doku if Doku's on the right.
44:45
SPEAKER_00: So let's avoid that at all costs.
44:47
SPEAKER_00: So I do think that'll be a little bit of a shift tactically from the United States.
44:50
SPEAKER_00: It'll force us to be just a bit more cognizant of that.
44:54
SPEAKER_00: So that's how Belgium wants to play.
44:56
SPEAKER_00: They will have, they they want more of the ball, but I don't know necessarily that the United States are just going to give it to them because they're traditionally a bigger side.
45:04
SPEAKER_00: So throughout the group stage, Belgium faced the third highest percentage of low blocks in the entire group stage.
45:12
SPEAKER_00: Because of the teams in their group, in my opinion, they all kind of just bent the knee and said, Hey, Belgium, you could have the ball.
45:18
SPEAKER_00: We think you're susceptible on the counter.
45:19
SPEAKER_00: And it almost worked where Belgium didn't almost make it out of the group.
45:23
SPEAKER_00: So it wasn't exactly a bad strategy by those teams, but the United States are not going to sit in a low block against them.
45:28
SPEAKER_00: So that's an interesting thing to watch as the game progresses as well.
45:31
SPEAKER_00: But yeah, like I said, how they play is they want to get those balls to the ball to the wide areas.
45:36
SPEAKER_00: They'll have they have a good fullback, Maxime de Koyper, who will invert and allow either Doku or Trossard to get wide on the outside.
45:43
SPEAKER_00: That's what they want to do.
45:44
SPEAKER_00: I don't think they've been super successful in doing any of this throughout the tournament thus far.
45:49
SPEAKER_00: And they're a team, like you said, that's just a little bit shaky and hasn't fully clicked.
45:53
SPEAKER_00: So overall, while on paper, it looks like Belgium's a traditional powerhouse or a side that should beat the United States.
46:00
SPEAKER_00: I think this is a pretty favorable matchup in the round of 16.
46:04
SPEAKER_01: Thank you, Sean, for that breakdown.
46:06
SPEAKER_01: And I just have a couple of follow-ups that I want to ask you.
46:09
SPEAKER_01: You mentioned, and I think this is a very interesting point and will be extremely present in the match on Monday.
46:16
SPEAKER_01: The goal of Belgium is to get the ball wide and use those wide attackers to create chances.
46:20
SPEAKER_01: Now, with the U.S.
46:21
SPEAKER_01: probably having to shift Serginho Dest and Anthony Robinson back defensively, how is that going to impact the US going forward?
46:29
SPEAKER_01: Because those two guys are obviously very, very prevalent in our attack.
46:34
SPEAKER_01: That mixed with Florian Balogun being out on a red card suspension.
46:40
SPEAKER_01: Can the US score easily against these guys?
46:43
SPEAKER_01: I I that's the one worry I have.
46:45
SPEAKER_01: And then second point, one guy you didn't mention, I just want to know your feelings on him is Romolo Lukaku, where he hasn't started all their games, he's come off the bench, he scored, he basically forced an own goal in one of their games.
47:00
SPEAKER_01: You know, people who have known known the game know he's around the game and and know he's susceptible to a big moment, but he's also has games where he completely checks out.
47:11
SPEAKER_01: So wait, how do you think he plays a role into this game as well?
47:15
SPEAKER_00: I'm glad you brought this up because we could kind of just take a step back and lay the groundwork.
47:19
SPEAKER_00: So I think what I was mentioning is kind of how Belgium want to play.
47:22
SPEAKER_00: I don't necessarily think that's how they're going to play.
47:25
SPEAKER_00: I I think their main methods of attack are, like I said, those wide spaces, especially Doku, who can beat a man almost routinely.
47:32
SPEAKER_00: But the other way they want to play is getting the ball centrally to Kevin De Bruyne and having a through ball moment or a moment where they could kind of catch you out in transition and he's able to play a pass that just cuts through your back line and leads to a good goal scoring opportunity.
47:46
SPEAKER_00: It's just we haven't seen that as much this tournament because of the fact that maybe Romel Lukaku's 33 and isn't as agile in behind of defenders.
47:55
SPEAKER_00: And aside from him, they really don't have an out-and-out striker.
47:58
SPEAKER_00: So I will say I think I'm more scared of Belgium when Lukaku is on the pitch than a guy like Descatelier.
48:05
SPEAKER_00: I I think Descatelier might be more skilled, but Lukaku does get into dangerous areas consistently, and the ball seems to find him.
48:13
SPEAKER_00: Now, is he also prone to miss some of those really good chances?
48:17
SPEAKER_00: Yes, he is.
48:17
SPEAKER_00: And I hope he misses a few on Monday night.
48:20
SPEAKER_00: I think, though, that Belgium are a team who aren't expecting maybe the United States to come out and kind of punch him in the face, and I don't know that we're going to see Belgium have a ton of the ball, and thus I don't know that our full backs or our wing backs will be pinned back in a ton of situations.
48:38
SPEAKER_00: Yes, there will be, of course, moments where we need to do a job and double a Doku or a Troussard on the outside when they do have a spell of possession, but I'm expecting the United States to really dictate this match, and I hope I'm right in that, but I think we would be foolish to kind of bend the knee in any way to Belgium.
48:57
SPEAKER_00: I think we're the force in this game.
48:59
SPEAKER_00: They're on they're on our soil, we've been the better team in this World Cup.
49:03
SPEAKER_00: They were going to play how we tell them to play, and I think we should worry about pinning them back and making their really shaky back line defend for long stretches.
49:13
SPEAKER_01: And do you think just a follow-up to your last point there, Sean, do you think the US players have that I don't know what the word is, not ability, but sort of that mentality that, hey, we are gonna be the bigger team here.
49:33
SPEAKER_01: Because we've seen it at this World Cup for sure.
49:36
SPEAKER_01: USA has definitely brought it to some of the teams they've played, but they haven't played a Belgium yet.
49:41
SPEAKER_01: They haven't played a team, a true European quote unquote powerhouse.
49:46
SPEAKER_01: Yes, your Belgium is is sort of on the lower end of the European powerhouses.
49:50
SPEAKER_01: It's not the best team in Europe by any means, but they're a team that typically shows up well in these tournaments.
49:56
SPEAKER_01: They they do well.
49:57
SPEAKER_01: The US played them in a friendly a few months ago before the World Cup and got beat five to two.
50:01
SPEAKER_01: I know it was a friendly, and it you know, we can't take too much out of that.
50:05
SPEAKER_01: But do you think the boys have the mentality to say, hey, we're the USA, we're on home soil, we're gonna take the game to you, even with an opponent at this size?
50:14
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I would like to get your opinion on this too, but I think they do.
50:17
SPEAKER_00: I think that's been part of the transformation under Mauricio Pachatino.
50:20
SPEAKER_00: It's a culture shift.
50:21
SPEAKER_00: And you could hear his messaging in the post-game when he gives the little speech in the locker room that they allowed us to hear.
50:27
SPEAKER_00: It's we're aiming for the moon, and he said we have the talent, we have the players, we have the mindset, and most importantly, we have the unity.
50:35
SPEAKER_00: And I think this group is as galvanized as ever to run through a brick wall, not only for them, but for the fans on home soil, Country Road, Seattle.
50:46
SPEAKER_00: I mean, I Brandon, I think this has the makings of a really, really like a flagship moment for United States men's soccer, is what I think this could be on Monday night, because I am really expecting us to be the ones in control of this match.
51:00
SPEAKER_00: And I think our boys are expecting that as well.
51:03
SPEAKER_00: I could be wrong, and and I sure hope I'm not, but I I want to see that same.
51:08
SPEAKER_00: I want to jump on them early and let them suffocate them.
51:11
SPEAKER_00: I want them to know we're the team in this game.
51:14
SPEAKER_00: We're slight favorites, so I think it would be foolish of us to try to play an underdog card after kind of pumping our chest out and saying, hey, we're hosting this is a golden generation for us as well.
51:26
SPEAKER_00: Why should we bend the knee in any way?
51:28
SPEAKER_00: I think we'll see a strong mindset.
51:30
SPEAKER_00: Uh, we've seen nothing but a strong mindset and a professional approach from this group.
51:33
SPEAKER_00: I think we'll see it again on Monday.
51:35
SPEAKER_00: I I think maybe you're in agreement.
51:37
SPEAKER_00: I'd love to hear what you have to say, though.
51:39
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I love that.
51:40
SPEAKER_01: And I I am in an agreement.
51:42
SPEAKER_01: I I do think the mentality has shifted.
51:45
SPEAKER_01: I just haven't seen the proven product against a quality opponent, and that doesn't that's to nobody's fault.
51:52
SPEAKER_01: We just haven't had that on the schedule.
51:53
SPEAKER_01: So it's an interesting thought, and I would love to see that from the boys.
51:57
SPEAKER_01: I mean, that that's what we that's what we signed up for.
52:00
SPEAKER_01: This is almost Sean.
52:02
SPEAKER_01: I I know it's around the 16 game, and maybe we're just a little bit optimistic, but this is almost turning into like a 99 US women's moment where Brandy Chastain scores the goal, takes her shirt off, the sports bra, the moment, and women and girls are are flooding to the game of soccer, and it's beautiful.
52:17
SPEAKER_01: And and the women's team, again, I I love how you also you all you always preface with US men's moments because the women's team, we will we will definitely cover them, especially next summer going into their World Cup.
52:29
SPEAKER_01: They have had all these moments, they've won four World Cups, they have they are the best team in the world.
52:33
SPEAKER_01: So don't take any of this as US soccer generally.
52:37
SPEAKER_01: This is specifically men's soccer, but I think this game has the ability to inspire that next generation.
52:45
SPEAKER_01: If they come out and beat Belgium and beat them handily and play in the in the way that you've mentioned, Sean, I mean this is a this is a moment where kids can see this and say, wow, like maybe I shouldn't play football, maybe I'll play soccer, maybe I shouldn't play basketball, maybe I'll look at playing soccer.
52:59
SPEAKER_01: And this could really, really inspire us for for world cups and and generations to come.
53:05
SPEAKER_01: So I'm if look, if they play the way you're talking and the way we want them to play, this could be really, really special, not just in the result, but just culturally as a as soccer as a soccer country.
53:18
SPEAKER_00: A hundred percent.
53:19
SPEAKER_00: And there's a chance that maybe I'm a bit overconfident.
53:22
SPEAKER_00: Sure, I've been guilty of such.
53:24
SPEAKER_00: I I uh in my head, it's all sunshine and rainbows.
53:27
SPEAKER_00: We win by two, we batter these guys.
53:29
SPEAKER_00: The reality is it could go very much differently, but I the way I feel about this game is a real sense of confidence right now.
53:37
SPEAKER_00: But to your point, yeah, this is going to be the most watched game in the history of United States men's soccer.
53:42
SPEAKER_00: The last game we played was the the record setting performance, and now this one will exceed that.
53:47
SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, it's an unbelievable stage.
53:50
SPEAKER_00: Like once in a lifetime type opportunity for all the guys playing, it's a chance to really just the country's behind them in a big way, and we've seen from various people that don't usually care about the sport get into the sport already, but it keeps amplifying the further you go in a tournament.
54:08
SPEAKER_00: And we talked about in the lead up to the World Cup, just what a quarterfinals run could do for this country.
54:13
SPEAKER_00: Having those extra four or five days in between matches, if we were to beat Belgium in a lead up to a game against Spain or Ronaldo and Portugal, it's just an unbelievable thing to even think about.
54:27
SPEAKER_00: So, yeah, all of the pressure is on these guys, but I think they're loving every minute of it, is how I'm reading the situation at this point.
54:34
SPEAKER_00: If Belgium score in the 15th minute, you're going to see me singing a completely different tune.
54:40
SPEAKER_00: It's going to be one of pity, and it'll be it'll be brutal.
54:44
SPEAKER_00: But right now, I'm not letting that creep into my consciousness.
54:46
SPEAKER_00: I really think we're in for a fantastic evening on Monday night.
54:51
SPEAKER_00: But one of the key decisions in this game, Brandon, and I'm interested, I'm going to ask you the question first.
54:57
SPEAKER_00: Pachatino, you mentioned we don't have Florin Balogun.
55:00
SPEAKER_00: There's a few things we could do.
55:02
SPEAKER_00: We can replace him with an out-and-out striker like Ricardo Pepe.
55:05
SPEAKER_00: It's a like-for-like change.
55:06
SPEAKER_00: It keeps all of the other nine outfield players in their natural position, the position they've been playing in these performances.
55:14
SPEAKER_00: Or we can kind of tweak things around and put Christian Pulisic as that false nine of sorts, a bit of a different striker type player, and maybe get a guy like Gio Reina into the squad, a more talented player than Ricardo Pepe.
55:29
SPEAKER_00: So that would take guys playing in different spots and shifting more things up than just one role being changed, but it might also get you your best team on the field in this instance.
55:39
SPEAKER_00: So I'm interested in what you think Mauricio Pachatino should do with the lineup on Monday night.
55:46
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I've gone back and forth on this one, but I think I've settled with Mauricio starting Ricardo Pepe in the nine.
55:55
SPEAKER_01: And the reason being, Sean, is the team has flowed so well.
56:00
SPEAKER_01: Flowed, no pun intended, but they flowed so well so far, all playing the roles that they've played in.
56:06
SPEAKER_01: And now to bring in change the and now to change the system, Sean, I I don't love that.
56:13
SPEAKER_01: It does get us probably a better player on the field in in Reina than Pepe, but I I don't love moving everyone around.
56:25
SPEAKER_01: I think what we've we've made our bread and butter, we've done it the way we've done it.
56:29
SPEAKER_01: And there is gonna be a drop-off.
56:31
SPEAKER_01: There's nothing against Ricardo Pepe, but Florian Balligan has been in incredible form.
56:35
SPEAKER_01: I mean, I don't think we even expected to see what we've seen from him so far this tournament.
56:40
SPEAKER_01: He's getting bigger looks from Premier League clubs and other teams around the world.
56:44
SPEAKER_01: And we knew he was a solid number nine, but I don't know if we knew he was gonna take that next step in this tournament, and he's done that.
56:50
SPEAKER_01: Pepe, in his minutes, he hasn't looked great.
56:54
SPEAKER_01: Like we'll just call a spade a spade.
56:56
SPEAKER_01: However, the majority of the minutes he was playing either against Turkey, Turkey A, where we're playing our second team, so he wasn't playing with the the first team necessarily.
57:06
SPEAKER_01: And then the other minutes he got, he wasn't really playing in his traditional number nine role.
57:13
SPEAKER_01: So I do want to take that with a grain of salt as well.
57:16
SPEAKER_01: Pepe can give us a moment, and and that might be all we need.
57:20
SPEAKER_01: It might not be, hey, hold up the ball for us, be the be the creator that Balogun has seemed to be.
57:26
SPEAKER_01: It might be, hey, just tap this ball in because Christian's gonna get down the wing and and and feed it into you.
57:31
SPEAKER_01: Just make sure you're there to tap it in.
57:33
SPEAKER_01: And to me, I think that's where we're stronger.
57:38
SPEAKER_01: So for me, I don't think Sean I would change the formation and and rotate too much.
57:42
SPEAKER_01: I think it would just be almost a like-for-like swap, even though the players aren't exactly the same.
57:47
SPEAKER_01: But I think putting Peppy in there at the nine is my best bet.
57:50
SPEAKER_01: And look, you have five subs, three windows to make those subs.
57:54
SPEAKER_01: If we get to half time and it's not looking right, maybe we do have to pull a card like that.
57:59
SPEAKER_01: But I don't want Pachatino to completely change everything, especially with the momentum that the team has right now.
58:07
SPEAKER_00: I'm 100% in the camp of we need to start a number nine in place of Florent Balogun and not take Christian Pulitzik out of his best position.
58:16
SPEAKER_00: I agree with you completely.
58:18
SPEAKER_00: Would the number nine that Sean Boyle would start be Haji Wright?
58:22
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it would.
58:23
SPEAKER_00: I'm a Haji guy, but we know Mauricio is probably not going to do that.
58:27
SPEAKER_00: But that's why I'm sitting here talking to you.
58:29
SPEAKER_00: And Mauricio Pacino is one of my favorite human beings of all time.
58:32
SPEAKER_00: So that's the difference between, you know, guys with the brain and without.
58:36
SPEAKER_00: I do think what we've seen for Pepe this tournament hasn't been great.
58:41
SPEAKER_00: He was good in the send-off match.
58:44
SPEAKER_00: So he had a couple of assists, was good at linking play in that nine position.
58:48
SPEAKER_00: I'm not necessarily ruling out the Ricardo Pepe game.
58:53
SPEAKER_00: Who's to say he can't go and ball out?
58:55
SPEAKER_00: We've seen him score goals at a really high rate at club level.
58:58
SPEAKER_00: Why can't he come and just score a goal and assist another and just put him his imprint all over this game?
59:07
SPEAKER_00: That would be such a dream to see.
59:08
SPEAKER_00: It would really speak to the collective of the group and guys staying ready and seizing their opportunity.
59:13
SPEAKER_00: I think it would be awesome.
59:14
SPEAKER_00: But I just think the main point for me is we've looked so good through these games so far.
59:20
SPEAKER_00: Why tinker with the guys that have looked good elsewhere?
59:24
SPEAKER_00: We're already down one.
59:26
SPEAKER_00: Don't take somebody else out of their best position as well.
59:28
SPEAKER_00: Now you're neutralizing Christian Pulisic in a role that he hasn't looked great in under Pachatino as a false nine.
59:33
SPEAKER_00: Don't do that.
59:34
SPEAKER_00: Let let Pulisik cook.
59:36
SPEAKER_00: He'll get his goal in this.
59:37
SPEAKER_00: I think he'll have a big moment.
59:38
SPEAKER_00: You know what I mean?
59:39
SPEAKER_00: I I think we'll be a fine enough with whoever playing number nine that we can select from.
59:49
SPEAKER_01: I agree with what you said because yeah, Christian is so good in his spot currently, I wouldn't want to mess with that.
59:59
SPEAKER_01: Sean, the last thing we gotta do, Sean, we gotta predict the game.
1:00:03
SPEAKER_01: We we've teased it, we've danced around it, we've given you the preview, how we think it's gonna go.
1:00:09
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I need a score, I need a I need goal scores, and I and I want to know how you think this game is gonna play out.
1:00:16
SPEAKER_00: I'm choosing this could be clipped and laughed at for years to come, but I'm sticking my neck out.
1:00:23
SPEAKER_00: I think it's 3-1 United States.
1:00:25
SPEAKER_00: I think it's a relatively comfortable performance.
1:00:28
SPEAKER_00: I'm not gonna say it's going to be a walk in the park.
1:00:30
SPEAKER_00: I'm not trying to disrespect Belgium.
1:00:32
SPEAKER_00: I've watched all of their games, I've watched all the United States games.
1:00:35
SPEAKER_00: I think we're better right now, and I think we need to act as such.
1:00:38
SPEAKER_00: That's why we're slight favorites in this game.
1:00:41
SPEAKER_00: It will be the most watched game in U.S.
1:00:43
SPEAKER_00: soccer history, and I think the boys are going to put on an absolute display for all of us watching at home.
1:00:48
SPEAKER_00: I'm expecting us to jump on them early.
1:00:51
SPEAKER_00: I they've given me no reason to expect otherwise.
1:00:54
SPEAKER_00: We've come out in every game that's mattered so far and put a statement forward early in the match.
1:01:00
SPEAKER_00: We've gotten a goal in the first half, and I think we do the same against Belgium.
1:01:04
SPEAKER_00: I think we get that first goal, and I think we look more likely to score the second than they do.
1:01:08
SPEAKER_00: And I think that's important.
1:01:10
SPEAKER_00: I'll like I said, 3-1's my final.
1:01:12
SPEAKER_00: I think we get that second.
1:01:13
SPEAKER_00: Maybe Belgium pull one back and show a little bit of fight, but then ultimately I think we see the game off with a third and final goal.
1:01:20
SPEAKER_00: I think we're underrating our athleticism a little bit.
1:01:24
SPEAKER_00: I think our attacking players are much more athletic and dynamic than their back line is.
1:01:30
SPEAKER_00: And I think if we can make them run, I hope it's steamy in Seattle.
1:01:34
SPEAKER_00: I hope it's a hot evening.
1:01:35
SPEAKER_00: I'll tell you that.
1:01:36
SPEAKER_00: Sweat them out, make them run.
1:01:38
SPEAKER_00: I feel like our advantage in terms of athleticism is being a bit underappreciated in this one.
1:01:43
SPEAKER_00: Florin Baloghan would really help.
1:01:45
SPEAKER_00: But I am very confident that the United States is going to reach the quarterfinals of this World Cup.
1:01:51
SPEAKER_00: Mauricio Pachatino's the man to do it.
1:01:54
SPEAKER_00: Goal scores.
1:01:55
SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna keep saying West McKenney until he scores a goal.
1:01:58
SPEAKER_00: He may never score a goal again because I'm saying he will.
1:02:02
SPEAKER_00: But I keep saying him, I'll give one to Pepe and I'll give one to Pulisic.
1:02:07
SPEAKER_00: I would love to hear what you have to say, and I hope to God you're not picking Belgium.
1:02:13
SPEAKER_01: Well, first and foremost, Sean, I am not picking Belgium.
1:02:15
SPEAKER_01: I am sticking with the US.
1:02:18
SPEAKER_01: I was I was laughing as you were talking because you mentioned Steamy in Seattle.
1:02:24
SPEAKER_01: You know, we got the movie Sleepless in Seattle.
1:02:26
SPEAKER_01: We're gonna we're gonna rename it on Monday, Steamy in Seattle.
1:02:29
SPEAKER_01: However, Sean, also while you were talking, I looked at the weather and it's only gonna be about 78 degrees.
1:02:35
SPEAKER_01: So not too not too hot.
1:02:37
SPEAKER_01: Dolas has a good story, Brandon.
1:02:40
SPEAKER_01: So not too bad, but but no, I I I agree with you.
1:02:44
SPEAKER_01: I think the US can get on that front foot.
1:02:46
SPEAKER_01: We've mentioned it every game in this tournament so far, and I think they do it again on Monday.
1:02:52
SPEAKER_01: I think if you can get a goal before that water break, I I know the water breaks have been criticized it's a commercial, it's this, that, the other, fine.
1:03:00
SPEAKER_01: But that water break talk gets a little a little bit different when you're down 1-0 versus up 1-0 or 0-0 tie game.
1:03:07
SPEAKER_01: So I think if you can get one in before the water break, that's nice.
1:03:11
SPEAKER_01: I think they get one then.
1:03:12
SPEAKER_01: I think they hold it out till halftime.
1:03:14
SPEAKER_01: I think Belgium comes out halftime, they'll make a couple of subs, try to change some things up.
1:03:20
SPEAKER_01: I do think they get one back.
1:03:21
SPEAKER_01: I I do think Belgium get it to 1-1, and I think the rest of the game goes back and forth.
1:03:26
SPEAKER_01: Both teams have some half chances, but nothing too solid.
1:03:30
SPEAKER_01: I think the game goes to extra time, Sean.
1:03:32
SPEAKER_01: I know.
1:03:33
SPEAKER_01: I and and it and it pains me to say it because it's gonna pay me three times as much to watch it on Monday night.
1:03:39
SPEAKER_01: But I think extra time comes, Sean.
1:03:42
SPEAKER_01: And I think the US, you've mentioned their fitness, you mentioned their athleticism.
1:03:46
SPEAKER_01: I think it shows.
1:03:47
SPEAKER_01: And I think Weston McKinney, you're a guy.
1:03:50
SPEAKER_01: I have him, I back, I'm backing him as well.
1:03:52
SPEAKER_01: I think he gets a late goal, brings out the little Harry Pond Harry Potter won celebration afterwards.
1:03:59
SPEAKER_01: Sean, I think he gets a late goal like 115 five minutes before the end.
1:04:04
SPEAKER_01: I know, I know we'll be again Steamy in Seattle, we'll be sweating in Philly.
1:04:08
SPEAKER_01: I'll think of a better, I'll think of a better caption for that one.
1:04:11
SPEAKER_01: But Sean, it's I I I feel like the team has enough juice, and I feel like they'll do just enough to get by this game.
1:04:18
SPEAKER_01: You mentioned it's gonna be the biggest game in the men's team, men's national team history.
1:04:22
SPEAKER_01: This is this is massive.
1:04:23
SPEAKER_01: And and like you mentioned, it's gonna TV records are gonna be broken, people are gonna be out at the bars, people are gonna be, you know, still celebrating from the weekend.
1:04:31
SPEAKER_01: We we're celebrating our 250th birthday on Saturday.
1:04:34
SPEAKER_01: This is just an extended birthday party, Sean.
1:04:36
SPEAKER_01: So I think the boys come out, I think they come out ready.
1:04:39
SPEAKER_01: I think it's closer than maybe you think it is, but I do think the US pull that out two to one.
1:04:45
SPEAKER_00: Let me just say, I hope I'm right because I don't want to deal with the stress of what you just described.
1:04:49
SPEAKER_00: Sounds miserable until that West goal would hit like crack.
1:04:53
SPEAKER_00: That would hit like crack of never done it, not a drug show, kids' show, but it would it would be special if that's the way we walk this one off.
1:05:01
SPEAKER_00: Oh man, I I couldn't be more excited for it, Brandon.
1:05:04
SPEAKER_00: It's going to be a wonderful, wonderful weekend of watching soccer, but then Monday to get this game.
1:05:12
SPEAKER_00: I do wish it was kind of Sunday.
1:05:14
SPEAKER_00: So, you know, I I feel like maybe we'd have some more, a little bit more people letting loose for it.
1:05:21
SPEAKER_00: Monday, it's tough, it's a tough evening, but I think we a national holiday might be in order Tuesday if if if things go according to plan.
1:05:27
SPEAKER_00: You don't want to celebrate just making the quarterfinals, but I will.
1:05:30
SPEAKER_00: I will.
1:05:31
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
1:05:32
SPEAKER_01: We got to bring out the uh the old college football, playoff, college basketball national championship.
1:05:37
SPEAKER_01: Your team wins the next day.
1:05:39
SPEAKER_01: The dean comes out, the the president comes out of school.
1:05:41
SPEAKER_01: Ah, don't worry about school today, guys.
1:05:43
SPEAKER_01: Just go just go enjoy it.
1:05:44
SPEAKER_01: So that's right.
1:05:45
SPEAKER_00: We need yeah, we need Tuesday to be a holiday.
1:05:48
SPEAKER_00: And if Potch says skip work, skip work.
1:05:50
SPEAKER_00: He's he's our leader in this country at this point.
1:05:52
SPEAKER_00: So just whatever he says goes.
1:05:55
SPEAKER_00: I I'm I'm all in.
1:05:56
SPEAKER_00: Like I said, either way, both of us have the US advancing.
1:06:00
SPEAKER_00: One's a little bit trickier than the other, but I think the United States, the next time we talk to you, will be in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.
1:06:10
SPEAKER_01: And Sean, hearing you say that, I mean, it gave me a little bit of goosebumps right there.
1:06:15
SPEAKER_01: It's crazy to think that that is a legitimate, legitimate reality.
1:06:20
SPEAKER_01: And uh it we're one step away.
1:06:23
SPEAKER_01: One step.
1:06:24
SPEAKER_00: And three goals, hopefully.
1:06:26
SPEAKER_00: But but Brandon, and like we said to the listener, we will be coming to you after the game Monday if we win.
1:06:32
SPEAKER_00: If we lose, you'll see us for a Premier League preview in August.
1:06:35
SPEAKER_01: That'll be cancel all the summer content.
1:06:39
SPEAKER_01: It's all right.
1:06:43
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I couldn't deal with it.
1:06:45
SPEAKER_00: Kevin De Bruyne, I'm not gonna say anything else, but I'm thinking it.
1:06:48
SPEAKER_00: I'm thinking it.
1:06:49
SPEAKER_00: So Brandon, I think that's I think we're in a good spot.
1:06:53
SPEAKER_00: I think we're in a good spot.
1:06:54
SPEAKER_00: The vibes are high heading into this.
1:06:56
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, Sean, it it's what you this is what you you'd ask for, you know, if you could draw up the tournament again and get to this point.
1:07:04
SPEAKER_01: We're we're playing, we mentioned a quarterfinal run would be fantastic, and we're one step away.
1:07:09
SPEAKER_01: We're not playing a country like France or Argentina that where we're truly the underdogs.
1:07:14
SPEAKER_01: This is a game where, like you said, I think we are the favorites, and all goes right.
1:07:19
SPEAKER_01: We're coming to you with another podcast Monday night.
1:07:21
SPEAKER_01: So on your on your Tuesday morning, hopefully you're at home, recovering, not having to go to work.
1:07:26
SPEAKER_01: But if you do have to go to work, throw us on in the car on the way to the office.
1:07:30
SPEAKER_01: Start your Tuesday off with some great vibes because we'll be coming to you right after Monday night's game.
1:07:36
SPEAKER_00: Perfectly well said.
1:07:37
SPEAKER_00: I love it.
1:07:38
SPEAKER_00: And I will say just one final parting note.
1:07:40
SPEAKER_00: I'm not thinking about the quarterfinal game.
1:07:42
SPEAKER_00: I'm not, but if I were, I will say I want Ronaldo's head on a stick.
1:07:48
SPEAKER_00: Bring me Ronaldo.
1:07:49
SPEAKER_00: I don't want to root for them to beat Spain because I really enjoy a lot of the players on the Spanish team way more than I enjoy Ronaldo and Portugal.
1:07:57
SPEAKER_00: But if I were to pick a team that I think the US has a better chance of beating, it would be Portugal.
1:08:01
SPEAKER_00: Bring me that matchup for the quarterfinals.
1:08:04
SPEAKER_00: But I'm not thinking about that.
1:08:06
SPEAKER_00: I'm worried about Belgium.
1:08:08
SPEAKER_01: We're one one game at a time here, Sean, and all we can do is get ready for Monday night.
1:08:13
SPEAKER_01: We just gotta keep the main thing the main thing, as my quarterback Jalen Hurts, likes to say.
1:08:18
SPEAKER_01: So Sean, any any final words?
1:08:20
SPEAKER_01: Any final things you want to let the listeners hear?
1:08:23
SPEAKER_00: No, I think we're good.
1:08:24
SPEAKER_00: I think this was fun.
1:08:25
SPEAKER_00: It's great to have this many exciting games all at once, and enjoy it because really at the end of next week we're we're not having multiple matches a day anymore.
1:08:35
SPEAKER_00: We've got a few days left of this, and that's it.
1:08:38
SPEAKER_00: So appreciate it while we can.
1:08:40
SPEAKER_00: Go USA.
1:08:42
SPEAKER_00: I really, really never a doubt.
1:08:45
SPEAKER_00: I I honestly think we're gonna be celebrating Mauricio Pachuccino for decades to come.
1:08:51
SPEAKER_01: Wow.
1:08:51
SPEAKER_01: Big words for me, Sean.
1:08:53
SPEAKER_01: Sean, as always, thank you.
1:08:56
SPEAKER_01: Another great episode.
1:08:57
SPEAKER_01: I appreciate your breakdown on Belgium, your predictions, your your your confidence.
1:09:02
SPEAKER_01: I I love your confidence.
1:09:04
SPEAKER_01: That's that's one of your best qualities, my friend.
1:09:06
SPEAKER_01: So I I I appreciate that from you because I need it sometimes.
1:09:10
SPEAKER_01: So so thank you for that.
1:09:12
SPEAKER_01: Listeners, as always, like, subscribe, tell a friend to tell a friend, be a friend, and go USA.
1:09:19
SPEAKER_01: Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your fourth happy 250 USA, and take care.