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Welcome to The Inter Miami Show, which is dedicated to unraveling the exciting journey of Inter Miami CF. Join us as we explore the team's rise, challenges, and triumphs on and off the field. From in-depth team discussions to tactical analyses, we aim to bring you the pulse of Inter Miami CF, offering passionate fans a front-row seat to the dynamic world of Major League Soccer in the vibrant city of Miami.
Branton (00:23.98)
Hello and welcome to episode two of the Inner Miami show. I'm one part of your hosting duo, Brandon Griffin. And with me is the running man himself, Mr. Mike Longin, how are you, man?
Mike (00:41.234)
Man, I'm tired. I just got back. We're recording Monday night. I think it's Monday night. Just got back. I spent a Thursday to Sunday at Disney World running every single day. Did a marathon yesterday and yeah, rushed back here to record and get some content out. We got so much good feedback from our listeners last week. I'm going to say this right now, by the way, we missed it last week. For all watching YouTube, make sure you punch that like button, subscribe. I want to make sure we cover that because
Want to get some more subscribers there, but thanks for listening to first episode. I'm super excited to go to episode number two.
Branton (01:15.852)
Yeah, thanks for tuning back in. You know, a lot of you guys gave us some great feedback, a lot of likes and interactions across all social media platforms. So continue that, you know, if you like what you're hearing, you want us to address certain questions, reach out to us, let us know where we're more than happy to do that. And hopefully as we get closer to the season, we're gonna start taking this live and have your interactions with us. So we're definitely looking forward to that, but.
You know, we got a lot of stuff to jump into this week a lot of great stuff going on um And you know some interesting topics to talk about that i'm sure is going to trigger some people so, uh first one first topic is I know Mike has this deal in the done column. He's expecting the announcement to come after we drop this week's pot. I can tell Um, mr. Julian gressel
So what, what are you hearing, Mike? What's the latest on this?
Mike (02:16.746)
mean, you know, I think we've been thinking it's been done for a few weeks now. So during MLS cup during the pregame, they were talking about this being a done deal. It hasn't happened yet. What I'm hearing is that we're actually waiting for some other pieces to move basically free up some space just to kind of make the numbers work. But for all intents and purposes, I still think this is a done deal. I think it's worth talking about. I would say if it's not a done deal, it's gonna be a big surprise to us. And I would imagine it's gonna be a surprise to the club.
But let's kind of cover Gressel for those who don't know it. So right midfielder, right wing back, he's 30 years old. So he's still kind of on the right side of where we want to go, but he's getting a little bit. Yeah. He's a good spot. He's had 200, 211 MLS appearances during that time. 25 goals, 66 assists. He was on Columbus crew where he won his second MLS cup. He had previously won one with Atlanta.
Branton (02:54.164)
I'd say he's probably in his prime, so tail end, but he's there.
Mike (03:11.694)
2018 playing for Tata. So we have that relationship there. He also played for DC and Vancouver, rookie of the year 2017, just kind of covering everything while I'm at it. He has had six call ups with the US men's national team, really known as strong crossing ability. And frankly, just kind of to go into where we know what's going to go. He's the guy people have been hoping Gatlin would be, you know, if we're going to have that person playing as a right back right wing back, that's really
Branton (03:20.844)
Yeah, go for it.
Mike (03:40.834)
good crosses, strong crosses. This is who people want to get a little bit. We all know I'm a Yedlin. Okay, we're on episode two. I'm a Yedlin, a big Yedlin fan. Talked about in the last pod how, last game of season that was the autograph I wanted. But I'm recognizing that where Yedlin brought more culture to the room than necessarily game playing ability, cultures changed on this team. I think that's probably conversation for now or later, but cultures changed and what we need right now is a really solid right wing.
Branton (04:02.544)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (04:10.85)
And Gressel Cummings is going to be that person. And to me, I think we do talk about this as it's going to happen. And then maybe in a future pod, we walk it all back, said, oops, we were wrong. We wasted everyone's time.
Branton (04:23.972)
Well, you know, kind of doing our research and due diligence on the show this week. I've transfer market who's normally pretty good with this stuff has like a 78% probability of locking down. I know there's been some rumors about, I think it was the revs making a move for him. But yeah, I agree with you. I think he's probably coming in and I think the move we're probably waiting for to happen.
Is uh, yedlin probably on the move. Um, I really like yedlin. I had a yedlin jersey on last week One of my favorite players that we brought in just brings in such a he's such a personality a really good genuine person and um You know He's been all right for us, but definitely not the offensive or defensive weapon. We had hoped he would be
And while Gressel, I think, leaves a little bit to be desired on the defensive side, I think he's better than Yedlin defensively and offensively. He's he's probably better as well. Better overall around the one thing. And we talked about it with Yedlin just kind of jumping back to him. I think we were in the stadium for Messi's first game. We were talking about it. The way Yedlin passes the ball on the ground like to other people.
is the closest to like, like European talent that I think we had ever seen. When we saw like Bousquet's and Messi passing the ball. I think that was a comment that you had made. And, and I agree with it. You know, he he's a great passer, but I think wrestle just offers more.
Mike (06:03.934)
Yeah, no, I think Gettlin has the had before the big three yet Lynn had the best first touch, like he could take a ball out of the air waist high with his with his right foot and just bring it right to the ground right to where he wanted to be. He has so much skill. I've always gotten frustrated at the Midland nickname. I don't think it's deserved. I think Gettlin is an above average right back. But Grestles better. And I think Grestles could be more what we want to play with. And I also think you know, to the offensive piece.
Branton (06:22.21)
I don't either.
Mike (06:31.67)
We haven't talked tactics. I assume we're going to move to a three, five, two, a three, two, three, two, something along those lines. You know, but the three men backfield is coming. We're going to need less. We're going to allow the wing backs to play his wing backs and not his right back, which is kind of unfortunate because Yedlin was more of a wing back than a right back. And I always felt that it kind of it hurt him because he wasn't great defensively. But when you only have four men back, they required it.
Branton (06:39.013)
Yeah.
Branton (06:51.68)
Yeah.
Branton (06:55.257)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (06:58.386)
So it's unfortunate that now this is the time he'll be leaving. But at the same time, I think the other piece can like two years ago, we needed a culture guy and we talked about Yedlin. He brought grounding. For those who know like walking barefoot on the field at the pitch after the game was something that Yedlin kind of brought to the team that Messi's in her Miami doesn't need that. Right. This isn't, it's, I won't say it's less about culture, but it is like, you don't need to, there's, we're kind of walking away from a team. We're going to walk.
Branton (07:08.138)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (07:25.825)
Yeah.
Mike (07:28.022)
go a little bit more to a collection of individuals that are just really good. And yet lens not as needed. What Gressil skill is.
Branton (07:35.532)
Yeah, and I agree with that. But I do think that the team is still important. And I think that there's enough players on this roster that have now carried over into next season, and I think have formed bonds and stuff like that. And I mean, we all know it's like Messi and friends, right? You know, he's got the connection with boost, buscats and Suarez and Alba and
You know We talked about a little bit too messies, you know teaching some of the kids booze. He's teaching some of the kids so hopefully they're forming those type of relationships and then and Where you don't need somebody who's just going to be a locker room guy anymore? Because maybe you have guys that are just professional They know how to act and the younger guns the younger kids are going to feed off of that Um, it's my hope
Branton (08:37.986)
Right.
Mike (08:46.837)
Yeah, I
Mike (08:53.43)
Suarez is coming in on a one on one deal. Messi's here for two years. These guys aren't expected to be around forever. The culture they build, I don't think is even expected to be around forever. It's they're going to work together, they're going to play together, they're gonna, you know, when there's a goal scored, they will all run to the corner and celebrate. But there's still be professionals and they don't play one game they don't play like, I just think it's gonna be a different if it's gonna be a big difference. And that importance that Yedlin brought, which was so important, like again,
Branton (08:53.722)
Yeah.
Branton (09:11.401)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (09:22.282)
Yellen's one of my favorite players. I say his jersey probably hangs in a different, like the place of honor in my house. He isn't needed like he was, but at the same time, he is, will always be the guy that Messi handed that armband to that the, when we won league's cup, he'll always be the guy that brought this team together. That was so important. And assuming we're right that he's on the way out, you know, I think we all owe him a debt of thanks. I don't think we won league's cup without what he brought because he helped get us to a place.
Branton (09:37.858)
Yeah.
Mike (09:52.15)
that messy got us over the edge.
Branton (09:54.508)
Yeah. And, and honestly, my dream scenario is Yedlin maybe takes a pay cut and decides to stay as a backup. I don't know that it happens, but I also don't know how many people are out there looking at Yedlin and saying that guy solves a need, um, with the year that he's had. So I'd love him to stay on as a depth piece, but
I really do want Gressil in here. Gressil's somebody as soon as the free agent list started coming out, like I started like screaming for, like that's my guy. He had his best years of his career under Tata. You know, he was a dual national. I think he was better when he was a German. Now that he's declared for the US men's national team, he's not as good in my opinion. No, he just.
He's played on some bad teams recently. The DC United team that he played with was, it was not great. Um, and, and Vancouver's kind of going through a rebuild in the last two years. So we'll see. Um, you know, hopefully Mike's right. And this gets, gets taken care of this week and we're good to go. Um, but, uh, if not, we'll probably be talking about them again next week, at least a little bit.
Mike (11:07.862)
I don't see, I mean, so we're gonna get into the next thing we're gonna cover is upcoming games. And the first games, you know, a week out or about a week and a half out. I would start expecting this to get settled before then. I do think, you know, one place I'd throw Yedlin, by the way, is the name is Portland. No, they even reuniting with Neville. I don't think it's out of the picture. I don't know but they can make the money work. But you know, when you used to look on the sideline, Neville and Yedlin had a tight bond.
Branton (11:15.676)
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Mike (11:34.342)
And I've always kind of heard the rumors that Yedlin wants to go back out to the West coast. He clearly has a strong relationship with Seattle. That also might be the reason why he wouldn't go is kind of to go to Portland might be taken the wrong way. But yeah, I do wish him the best if he goes and I'm excited to see Grysler come in when he finally signs. And frankly, I wouldn't be I would not be surprised at all if we post this pod tomorrow. And like in the afternoon that would happen. Like that's just as likely to happen is not I think at this point.
Branton (11:34.756)
Yeah.
Branton (11:59.632)
Hehehe
Branton (12:03.724)
Yeah, I agree. We'll see. I hope we get settled because like you said on jumping into our next topic The preseason schedule because we've had some changes to it a new edition announced last week after we recorded But for those of you guys who don't know We're starting our world tour starting uh January 19th. We're playing the el salvador national team
in El Salvador, which I'm a big fan of that game being scheduled because in my mind, that is the closest way to simulate the environments that we are going to see on the road in CONCACAF Champions Cup this year. You know, everybody knows CCC, just it's a different environment, different pitches, probably most of which are not up to the same standards that you see here.
But that makes it interesting. That's what makes it special. And so I think that's what I thought that game was scheduled for. Because I did think it was odd to see us play like a national team.
Mike (13:12.53)
No, I
Branton (13:19.728)
go.
Branton (13:37.038)
You got it.
Mike (13:41.054)
I'm guessing they're going directly from Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong to play on the 4th of February, then to Japan to play Visell Kobe. And then they get a week off to come back to the United States to play Newell's Old Boys, Messi's original clone.
Branton (13:45.584)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (13:52.254)
This is so Kobe.
Branton (14:01.036)
I don't know if that maybe I missed it, but I don't know if that one was 100% confirmed by the team yet.
Mike (14:07.81)
the Japan one.
Branton (14:09.758)
No, the Newell's, Newell's game.
Mike (14:11.006)
No, we bought tickets are tickets for sale tickets. We yeah, that's definitely happened. That's definitely happened.
Branton (14:14.828)
Oh yeah, no, nevermind. I was thinking of the other rumor that's out there that they may be adding, I think, Boca.
Mike (14:23.702)
That one's still a rumor. Yeah, no, yeah.
Branton (14:24.396)
We heard that last week. Yeah, that's what I was thinking of.
Mike (14:28.15)
This is what happens. We have little kids, we sometimes get distracted and forget what's going on. But now the old boys one's definitely happening. So before we kind of break into it, I do want to say, if you had asked me two weeks ago, when we had like four games planned, I thought this was a really good tour. I totally agree on the El Salvador core like call like, let's get some CCC expectations. I think we've gone too far. I'm just gonna say it, jump right into it. I think we're doing multiple games, you know, we're doing without two
Branton (14:32.589)
Yeah.
Mike (14:56.406)
three day game spans. So we got 119 El Salvador, the 122 FC Dallas, then we got the 129 Halal and then to one on a star. We're sitting at a moment in time where two weeks ago, brand you and I were up in arms because US Open Cup had been basically shut down because of schedule congestion. And here we're looking at a schedule for a preseason that is schedule congestion. And I just
Branton (15:16.293)
Yeah.
Branton (15:21.855)
So...
Mike (15:22.73)
I'm really struggling with this being the right thing for the team to do. I know why it's called money, but I'm not sure I'm a fan of it.
Branton (15:25.861)
And.
Well, there's two main reasons in my mind why you would have a schedule like this for your preseason. The money aspect is number one. And when we had to cancel the two games in China, that was supposed to happen like off season games, we had to make up that revenue somewhere. And that's where we started seeing the FC Dallas game, which is being played in the cotton bowl, which those of you who are not familiar with is a massive stadium.
Branton (15:59.324)
I want to say it's like a 60,000 fan stadium. I could be wrong. I was way wrong. Yeah. I was gonna say 80, but yeah. A massive stadium. And then I think, you know, I mean, that's really the latest one that's been added, but you know, I think Newell's, like that was probably something that was like a maybe.
Mike (16:04.702)
91,000 seats, 91. I'm not good. I just Googled. You were way off.
Branton (16:27.624)
because I know their season either starts or is about to start when they play us. So you know they have to make up the money one way or another and the other reason for this congested schedule is in order to be competitive in CCC this team needs to be at midseason form to start the season and the only way to do that is to simulate a congested season and throw all these games in there.
and pray to God that nobody gets hurt. I don't think it's the right thing. I don't think it's the right decision, but I think that is part of the thinking behind this decision.
Mike (16:58.382)
Let's see, that's where I just.
Mike (17:05.986)
see but I think you're contradicting yourself because last week we talked and we both agreed we are a cup team, which means people like Messi and Suarez will probably not play every game. And when you look at this schedule, those guys need to play every one of those games people are going to these fixtures to see Messi Suarez, Buczak, Alba, no one's going to go in there to see Drake calendar or Ben Ha or anyone else they're going for those big four, which means
Branton (17:14.008)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (17:18.221)
Right.
Mike (17:35.798)
This isn't simulating our schedule because our actual schedule when we have a CCC match the next Saturday There's a good chance Messi comes in the 60th minute or you know, or subs out like these things are gonna happen I don't I agree with you that we're trying to get to mid season form very quickly And I think there's a lot of truth to that But there's I don't think we needed to do it like this like fine We're gonna go to Saudi Arabia play these two back-to-back games We don't need back-to-back games in El Salvador and Cotton Bowl like we could have held off that FC Dallas game
Branton (17:44.809)
Right.
Mike (18:04.118)
That's the fact that's the first one I really don't see making sense.
Branton (18:05.44)
Yeah, well and that one was just announced last week. I think if you leave the FC Dallas game out of this i'm Feeling a lot better about the schedule because let's be honest like duels that game is just going to be like Because that in my opinion that game is just going to be like a clap it out. Like everybody have fun game I don't and in most of these games, I don't expect these guys to play full games I expect, you know, messy probably plays a half
Mike (18:25.441)
Yeah.
Branton (18:33.348)
in some of these games and then subs out and they break in whoever but um you know i think that's part of it but i listen like the my only problem with this schedule is really like the quality um i think that especially with the two saudi teams there is no way in hell we should be playing these games against them
We, we, they're going to blow our doors off. Like, and then we have it here. Like, um, Al Hillel has, I mean, Neymar's injured, but they've got Kula Bali. They've got Ruben Neves, um, Alexander Mitrovic, like these guys are going to tear us up and then I mean, the Al Nasser game, like forget it,
Branton (19:29.236)
Alex Tellez, David Ospina, like, they're going to tear us up too. And why are we playing games like that before? No.
Mike (19:34.35)
see, but I'm okay with that. But we're playing it because it's going to make great TV. Like I'm okay with the Saudi games. I see the money. I see it. At some level, I'm actually okay with the FC Dallas game because hey, we're playing an MLS and our only preseason we have out of the seven preseason matches, we're only playing one other MLS team like Suarez has never played in an MLS match before. And I know everyone's gonna say it's Suarez like it's what's a matter where he's playing.
The timing is different, the speed is different, not saying it's faster, I'm saying it's different. These things, these differences do add up giving them a little bit of time on the pitch together playing together at the speed of the game and the physicality of MLS is different. And so I think that is important we get those games.
Branton (20:08.321)
Yeah.
Branton (20:17.948)
Right, but you don't accomplish that by playing one MLS opponent is my point. Like I think I think if it were me, I would have scheduled tried to schedule some like Some away games like in South America Give yourself like because that's a similar environment to what you're gonna face in ccc and then I would have done like a training camp here or somewhere else in the us but
Mike (20:23.207)
I agree with you.
Branton (20:44.528)
playing other MLS teams to get them ready for that because I get the money aspect and I'm all about the team making money because that's how we're going to get better players, better facilities, better things that we want as fans. Hopefully. But
Mike (20:46.258)
Yeah. M-
Branton (21:07.034)
Yeah.
Branton (21:15.745)
Yeah.
Mike (21:18.556)
Yeah, I
Branton (21:22.169)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (21:29.45)
had one more MLS game. I think you change the congestion a little bit, you spread this out a little differently. You get better experience against MLS teams and hell throw it in and we'll cover it a little bit but throw it in another NFL stadium. Pick any of a dozen MLS teams that have partner NFL stadiums and you get that huge ticket revenue. You don't require the travel and you give all these guys coming to play, you know, the and friends of Messi more experience in the league they're going to be playing in.
Branton (21:43.93)
Yeah.
Branton (21:50.768)
Yeah.
Branton (22:01.272)
But, you know, this preseason schedule kind of reminded me when it came out about that athletic article from a couple years ago, where David Beckham and the Moss brothers were out to build a brand, not a team. And that's what we're seeing. Like, why are they playing in Hong Kong? Why are they playing in Japan? Because the Asian market is massive. They can't ignore that.
Why are they playing in Saudi Arabia? Because that's where all the eyes are and all the stars are right now. FC Dallas and El Salvador, those two games are fine. It's about pre-seasons, about getting ready. And then the Newell's game is just about like making a beautiful moment and letting him play against his old team. And that's it. Like, you know, and thank God the team hasn't been like, oh yeah, I know this is all about.
Mike (22:46.794)
Yeah, 100%.
Branton (22:55.7)
business and it's about getting us ready like you know maybe it's because we haven't heard from Tata in a while we haven't heard his wild takes on it but yeah I just it's about building the brand more so than the team this off season in my opinion
Mike (23:11.742)
I actually think I think the number one thing is money. Num money one money today one Monday to today later via brand is number two. I think there's ways to do that. I just I am fearful. Like if you were to tell if we have this, you know, four or five episodes for now, we're talking about somebody going down and one of these games, not gonna be real surprised. It's it's is preseason. It is early. These guys are gonna be coming off, you know.
Branton (23:14.692)
Mmm.
Branton (23:32.516)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (23:39.31)
Decreased training though. I don't know if anyone follows Messi and IG. He's he looks pretty cut. He looks swole But I am just I'm not in love with the schedule anymore I know there's some certain people haven't been in love with it from day one. I Started I'm happy with it, but I just I think it's too much I think these Asian games are mistake I just don't think there's enough MLS in there though It kind of does go back to the point we made last game of we're not really trying to win MLS Cup And I put out a tweet
Branton (23:43.917)
Yeah.
Branton (24:01.344)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (24:06.806)
Yeah.
Mike (24:08.15)
on Mike dot log in my Twitter handle, which we got to get up on the screen when we're doing this. Like that's got to be one of our goals the next two or three pods to get our Twitter handles out there. You know, joking who's going to win MLS Cup first Phil Neville or Inter Miami. And someone got real upset with me like how could you say that? I'm like because we're not trying to win MLS Cup next year. I don't believe like we know Messi's gonna be gone seven games. We know that we're gonna have this scheduled congestion from CCC. Like we're gonna try to win CCC. We're gonna try to win leagues Cup but
Branton (24:28.78)
Wow.
Mike (24:36.49)
I don't see us going for a Welles Cup.
Branton (24:39.116)
So I disagree with you there because I do think we could win MLS Cup, but we won't win during the mess here as a supporter shield. I think our goal is to limp into the playoffs, even if it's at the bottom seed. And again, this is a tournament team. That team will turn it on for the playoffs and move themselves in, especially like some of the crazy rest day amounts that they had in between games. That's
Perfectly tailored for us. Let these guys have like five or six days off in between games and see what they can do
Mike (25:14.774)
The problem is that assumes we limp in there healthy. And what we saw this past season was we couldn't get there because we weren't healthy. You know, if Messi hadn't gotten injured, if Alba hadn't gotten injured, it looks different. But now we're putting even more over 35 players on the team and having saying, hey, let's limp in.
Branton (25:32.576)
Well, you're doing that, but you're also not asking these guys to play a full European season, a full World Cup, and then come into MLS and play a half a season. Like these guys just, these guys, Messi probably had the longest offseason he's ever had in his career. Between when MLS ends and when the preseason starts again. It's probably the most time off he's had.
Mike (25:55.598)
thought we thought someone did the cut I think I think that was true until you went you moved these preseason games up to 119. If I recall correctly, some of the someone did the math on this not long ago and it was like it was a lot closer than people realized and then you take another month off for these preseason. He's really only gotten two months off not counting his injury time. But the Lanoche event was
Branton (26:04.261)
Well.
Branton (26:17.976)
Yeah, but that's a lot more than he normally gets.
Mike (26:21.678)
Yeah, I don't I don't think it's as much I do get your point that they didn't have the pre the preceding season But don't forget we have Copa So that's you know, that's your kind of your World Cup replacement. You have that really packed
Branton (26:32.556)
Yeah, but that's happening during this season. That's not gonna like you're not going from no, you're not going from full European season to a World Cup break over the winter right into MLS like he you're having your season still but he won't be playing MLS games then and he'll be missing MLS games. So it's really not like he's adding more to his schedule. He's just playing at a different place.
Mike (26:36.826)
It's the same as same as last season. Oh, yeah, they had a break World Cup.
Mike (26:54.142)
Alright, so what you're saying is, so what you're saying is all of our listeners or viewers can remember is that you are saying that no one on the team is going to get seriously injured, and we're going to have all our players that's what I heard you say. Now, that's what I heard you. That's what everyone, everyone listening just heard you say that.
Branton (27:06.456)
I didn't say that. No, what I said is what I what I just said is that these guys are more well rested than they were last year. So while I do, I think there was some concern where these guys were like, yeah, well, we're gonna arrest them because we need them next year. And so they shut some guys down and or in Messi's case, I think they rushed him back.
Mike (27:31.682)
I think he was more injured than was ever really led on. I do think that was a serious injury. And no one ever, I don't recall anyone ever saying what Alba was really injured for, but the fact that Alba never came back spoke a lot.
Branton (27:35.277)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Branton (27:44.172)
Yeah. Yeah, I don't I don't think I remember seeing what he went down with either. But, you know, we're here. So we'll see. But I am not saying no one's going to get seriously injured because MLS has turf and turf will take down at least one player on every team for a season.
Mike (27:58.434)
Hehehehe
Mike (28:05.402)
Oh, well, good news is, well, you know, we still I still believe that messy no turf clause exists and I'm sure Suarez has the same one. Well, at the end of day, though, you know, not to get into the turf thing. I do think turf is not long for the world of MLS. I think I think we're going to wait for.
Branton (28:08.692)
speaking.
God I hope so. I hope so I
Branton (28:21.504)
Well, I think as long as and it's a good segue into our next topic because I think as long as we have teams that are sharing stadiums with NFL teams, I think we're gonna have we're gonna have turf. New England is never gonna put grass in again. They're gonna keep their turf because what makes more money the revs or the Patriots, the Patriots?
Mike (28:44.17)
Yeah, but you're seeing the NFL PA. I don't know. I'm using some terms our viewers may not know, but the NFL Players Association, American Football, they're pushing for grass. They're trying to get out at the NFL players do not want to play on turf anymore. They want to go to grass. I know that the owners own all but I was just reading about the Las Vegas Raiders new stadium has grass as well. They're more and more want to go to it. We know that for World Cup, every one of these
Branton (29:07.344)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (29:14.128)
All the fields are going to be grass. I'm assuming for Copa. It's all grass. I don't know how Mercedes is going to do it
Branton (29:19.356)
Mmm. I haven't seen that. I haven't seen anything on Copa being on grass
Mike (29:25.218)
Got it. Can you really imagine Argentina playing on a turf field? Like I struggle so hard. Yeah, I'm looking at Lance on that one. I struggle so hard that they're not gonna put in grass and I pre
Branton (29:31.672)
We're looking at you Atlanta.
Branton (29:37.697)
Hmm. I would guess I think it's just Atlanta that they're playing in that has turf now. I would guess they put in grass because it's probably a test run for the World Cup to make sure they can do it. But
Mike (29:44.119)
Yeah.
Mike (29:48.798)
Which means, and once it goes in, you can keep it in, right? That's not the end of the world to get away from that. So I think grass is coming.
Branton (29:54.272)
Listen, if they can keep pristine grass growing in England year round, we can do it.
Mike (30:04.314)
What's so funny is I was at, I went to Stanford Bridge last September. We took the tour and they let you go into the locker rooms. They let you sit in the players seats, but if you take one step too close to that grass, that pitch, they will pull you back. Like they are so serious about protecting it. They've got the grow lights in there. Uh, there's a lot of American pop farmers that could learn from, from turf, you know, managers.
Branton (30:20.664)
They're on you.
Branton (30:28.944)
To be fair, the groundskeeper at Drive Pink is the same way. Yeah. If you don't follow him on Twitter, by the way, you are missing out. He is fantastic on Twitter. I don't remember his Twitter handle. Yeah.
Mike (30:35.026)
Oh yeah. I was there. I was there a couple of years ago.
Mike (30:47.987)
We'll get that out on social media after the case. So we'll make sure we post that later on.
Branton (30:51.764)
Next time he sends something out, we'll send it out because like the last time he was switching the field from NF or from a bowl game to intermite or to soccer. It was pretty cool. But um, Yeah, the reason we're talking about NFL stadiums is because our April 13th game against sporting Kansas City has been moved from their park to Arrowhead Stadium.
And then for those of you who don't know, Arrowhead Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. And it's a massive stadium, but check these images out. This came from the SKC Twitter. And so, you know, they're already blowing it up. They've got the graphics ready to go.
Got it all lit up in the blue, which is sporting Kansas City's colors. And, um, yeah, look at that. Like that stadium is going to be full to see us and to see messy, uh, play, which I think is really exciting. And this is also one of these stadiums that will be hosting games for the world cup, so, um, you guys will probably see it again.
Mike (32:08.578)
So I think, I think the big question that everyone's going to have going into this is will Taylor Swift be at the game? Because as I think everybody knows now, you know, boy, boyfriend's Kansas city. She's going to be in the skybox. No, I, I think this is, this is great for inner Miami. Like this, we should hope every single one of the teams we play moves from their MLS stadium to a local NFL stadium and quadruples attendance, because here's the reality. So
Branton (32:15.904)
Yeah, right there. That's where she sits.
Branton (32:25.881)
Yeah.
Branton (32:36.94)
Yeah.
Mike (32:38.094)
This stadium holds 75,000 people. Sporting KC typically plays in a stadium that has 18,000 people. So that's an additional, what's that, 57,000 people coming. None of them are coming to watch Sporting KC. They're all coming to watch Messi.
Branton (32:49.647)
Yeah.
Branton (32:53.328)
And for anybody and for anybody who watches the NFL, Arrowhead Stadium is probably, it's gotta be at least top five, if not the loudest stadiums in the country, in the NFL. It's incredible. And I can't wait. I think we should play more games in NFL stadiums that have grass.
Mike (33:13.206)
This will be huge. Yeah, let's not let's not go to BMO stadium for LAFC. Let's go play and where the LA's new Rose Bowl will be amazing. But again, it's gonna be all messy. Every time this happens, we're getting another home game out of it, essentially. And I think that's huge. It's nothing but a benefit to us.
Branton (33:20.068)
The Rose Bowl.
Branton (33:23.813)
Yeah.
Branton (33:29.004)
Yeah. And what's good about that? Like, so growing soccer in America, right? Having games in these NFL stadiums, like the starting ticket price for these arrowhead games is $65. Like that's letting people like get in there and see messy at, I mean, once the resale market gets ahold of these tickets, it probably won't be 65, but it's not going to be the thousand dollars it is to go see him at drive pink.
Mike (33:55.518)
Well, so I was you and I were chatting beforehand $65 great. As I'm sitting here, I'm thinking it could be just like when Air Miami advertises that you can get into a ticket for $75. And that's like the first 10 people get it for 65. And then every person after there's a 650
Branton (34:09.664)
Sporting Kansas City has a much better track record with their fans than Inter Miami does. So when they say it's $65 tickets, it's upper deck, but I believe that they're there and they'll have them available for fans. And so more games like this just means more people get to see Messi, but it's more opportunities for people to fall in love with the game and to grow the game. And so if you're playing in front of 75,000 fans,
Mike (34:13.293)
That's true.
Branton (34:37.34)
And like eight of them or 800 of them leave and say, oh man, I love this team. I got to see sporting Kansas city. Like that was a good day. And so the more we can do that, in my opinion, as a league, the better. Um, but I know people that hate it.
Mike (34:52.01)
No, I think I think it is great. I think I think it's gonna grow. It's gonna grow soccer. You know, for those who don't know Kansas City is a big soccer town. They've embraced the sport long before, you know, a lot of other cities in America. I got there. And you know, I actually have a Kansas City Wizards jersey because Hendo played there at one point I got one of his old jerseys. But I, I did I did I just randomly came across the jersey on Facebook and got it and then
Branton (35:04.128)
One of the original teams, the Kansas City Wizards.
Branton (35:13.752)
You got it signed, right?
Branton (35:18.475)
Hehehe
Mike (35:20.406)
got handed a sign and it's funny because when Hendo signed he had a big smile and he was almost a tear in his eye that you saw on the jerseys. I also want to kind of mention that for those who watched Ted Lasso, Kansas City was his home city. So I'm hoping we'll see Jason Sudeikis there, Ted Lasso on the sideline of sporting. This is gonna be a fun game. I think it's a fun game. I'm excited for I know our friend Paul who's a friend of the show.
Branton (35:38.585)
Yeah.
Mike (35:44.97)
One of the founders of the Greenlock gang, he's an original sporting KC guy before he moved to Miami and jumped over there in Miami. I know he's already talking about making the trip out there. So I think it's gonna be a lot of fun. But again, I just kind of the larger picture. Anytime these teams move to an NFL stadium, I think it's to our advantage. The one kind of asterisk being if it's one with turf and they're not gonna, you know, leave a turf. But, you know, one thing to throw out there too, it is kind of send expectation that Messi will play that game.
Branton (36:03.001)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mike (36:14.034)
And so I think that's going to be one of those open questions of what happens when Messi doesn't play one of these games? How does this the fans react? We saw that a little bit last year with some of those games was I think it was the Atlanta game where they opened it up and he didn't play. And there was a lot of pushback. I am curious what this turns into like, do we start seeing that? I think it's an open question. And so until we get April 13, and so these later games this season, we won't know. But it's definitely be interesting to watch from an away fans perspective of
Branton (36:28.129)
Yeah.
Branton (36:35.492)
you
Mike (36:43.726)
They're paying for Messi. They're making these stadium moves for Messi. Is he gonna play?
Branton (36:51.052)
Yeah, and you know, I think you probably You the good thing about us having multiple international stars is You'll probably have some people that be upset. Messi didn't play if he doesn't play But then they can say oh I saw Suarez and Alba and Booski Busquets or I saw Busquets and Messi and I didn't see Suarez and Alba or something like that, so um, you know having that star power is kind of good in those games in my opinion, but
I also think that SKC, you know, they could probably, I think they could sell more tickets than what they do at their home stadium now, just because of how well they built that fan base and the connection that they have with the city.
Mike (37:32.962)
Yeah.
No, they have a good they have a great fan base. They you know, I said that 57,000 will be Miami fans. It's it's not true. It's not fair. You will have more spanning Casey fans come out there. You also have those fans that say, Hey, I'm not a season ticket holder for SKC, but Messi's coming 65 bucks, I'll bring the whole family. I think I think it'll be a definite, you know, mix of people. It's not just gonna be a messy home game like we saw some of the stadiums last year. But
Branton (38:04.089)
Yeah.
Mike (38:04.502)
Don't get me wrong, it's not going to be necessarily in a way game for us either.
Branton (38:08.872)
No, and depending on what tickets look like, I might make that.
Mike (38:12.266)
It's also by the way, just calling out for, you know, for some of our international viewers. So we are on episode two, we've actually been listened to on four continents already, are one of our goals now is why the five until five brand you didn't update me, we're up to five now. I'm making this kind of statement. Now, we need an Antarctic viewer. So if anyone's planning a cruise to Antarctica or something, please let us know and you'll do a download while you're there. Africa will get I know I know Africa is coming. But we got to get
Branton (38:24.696)
Yeah.
Branton (38:33.892)
Africa Antarctica and Africa those are the only two we're missing we got Australia the other day yeah
Mike (38:42.09)
We got to get Antarctica and article by the end of the year. But uh, man, I forgot what's going on. So I was gonna say sporting Casey is kind of very central to the country. So, uh, it's really a place for those who haven't seen messy and with those ticket prices, $65, I bet you, you know, Kansas city is going to get some tourism out of this, which is good for the city as well.
Branton (38:50.288)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (39:00.undefined)
Yeah, if I can snag a ticket for less than 100 150 bucks, I'll probably I think about that.
Mike (39:08.17)
Yeah, I think I think it's I think this will be a decently traveled game too. I think we're already kind of hearing some talk about that.
Branton (39:11.104)
Yeah. So we'll see. Um, that would be great. You know, one NFL stadium we haven't played in yet. And I'm frankly shocked is the Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium. And I'm even more shocked when I saw these, these mock up if you for audio people, the air quotes were out. Um, we're gonna show. Yeah.
Mike (39:36.418)
And we'll get some pictures, we'll get these images up on the social media accounts of and you know, over the next few days, too, for those who are just listening and not watching.
Branton (39:43.5)
Yeah, so we're gonna we're gonna put them up and these are these all came from footy headlines Uh, they posted this out. So you guys have probably seen them. They did come out after we recorded last week and we were talking about kits So rumored third kit Images have dropped. Um, I have it on very good I have it on an authority. I don't want to say very good authority But I have it on an authority that this is just a mock-up this
Mike (40:13.014)
Well, footy said this was footy said this was mock ups. And some people I've heard from some people that know some people that mow the lawn for another person, that this is absolutely not what the kit looks like. But yeah, you guys talk about it.
Branton (40:13.06)
probably is not the actual kid.
Yeah.
Branton (40:24.484)
Yeah.
I heard these were concept ideas, but I did hear that the color scheme may be right. We'll see.
Mike (40:37.102)
I think the logo so you've got the picture up from front of us now of the crest in the colors. I think it looks great. Yeah, this feels real. I think it looks great. It's funny cuz I'm wearing the kit that was so for those watching I'm wearing the prime green prime blue kit from two years ago the blue one I kind of say is the closest thing we've had to a dolphins kit but the crest the if the crest is real which I do really have faith in them on
Branton (40:43.116)
I think the crest is 100% real. And I love it.
Mike (41:06.294)
the screen right now. I love the crest. I think the design on the left is hideous. I just first off, I don't think we're gonna go so the design left for those not watching it's another vertical design that they then ripped off some shoulder patches from the dolphins. First off, I don't think we're going vertical on this one. I think vertical we're doing one vertical and I think we do a horizontal kit or something.
Branton (41:11.638)
Yes.
Branton (41:22.672)
Well, no, we can't do we can't do two of those in the same season. But
Mike (41:29.065)
now.
And I know that from people that know people that moves people's on, these were designed independently. Like one was designed long before the other. So again, I don't think you'll have a lot of relationship between the two kits.
Branton (41:46.092)
Yeah, I don't think so either. And I also don't think like, from what I've heard, this kid is Miami. It's not a messy influence kid. Like this was this was locked and loaded before him. And I heard that there was like, they went all out, like we as a fan base have bitched and moaned about some aspect of our kids. Personally, I've liked every single one of them.
except for the pink monstrosity that's rumored to be coming out. I'm not in love with that yet. Maybe when I see it on me, I like it. But, you know, I think we've had great kids. I like the thinking that goes in behind them. Like, Linoche is my favorite kid. I know a lot of people hate it. It is what it is. But, you know, I love the idea that they went loose. And so like the image we have up now is just a kid. No CGI messy in there.
again from footy headlines and For those outside of the u.s. Who don't follow the NFL like this the inspiration for this is Miami Dolphins the collar everything screams NFL Jersey And then now it's a side-by-side between the Dolphins Jersey and the mock-up Jersey And you know the only thing I do not like about this kid
is the orange and yellow from the top of the shoulder down to the top of the bicep. I do love the cuff because that's like the throwback dolphins cuffs of the jersey but I will definitely be buying this.
Mike (43:29.23)
I do love the cuffs. I do love the cuffs. I feel the exact same way. I hate these random patches. I also honestly would have liked it to be kind of a white jersey with a lot of color not a like this teal jersey. I get where it's inspired by but there's ways to be inspired without fully copying. I don't think
Branton (43:36.685)
Yeah.
Branton (43:49.072)
Well, and you said that to me and I was like, no, it's not going to happen. And the more I thought about I'm like, you know what the dolphins wear the white jersey all the time. They don't wear the teal. Mike's probably right on this and I'm on board.
Mike (43:57.95)
Right. I just I I'm gonna be honest, this is a monstrosity in front of I'm looking at in front of me is I just, I don't believe it's gonna look anything like that. If it does, I'm gonna apologies to some people that I know that can get that may have input on these jerseys. I just don't think this is it. I just we're so creative. And and we've spent so long building this third kit.
Branton (44:08.639)
Yeah.
Mike (44:25.994)
I just really think it's going to be something that really pops. And this is just come on. You really took here was a Miami dolphins Jersey and our, our new kit that we all agree is the new kit, the vertical kit and combine the two. And that's what we're looking at. Just those two concepts. I think what the reality is going to be is a holy design, a holy new design kit that looks nothing like we're expecting. And yet we're all going to go like, that's exactly what we wanted.
Branton (44:38.061)
Yeah.
Branton (44:50.764)
Yeah, I I'm just excited to see mock-ups like this come out because if this was something they use in the design process, it probably wasn't. But if it was like this just tells me they're going bold and that's what I want. And and so that's that excites me.
Mike (45:08.598)
Well, but the other thing I throw out here is, uh, I don't know if anyone from olive in York, it listens to our pod yet. And if not, we got to find out, it's a good them start listing, but this concept of a Miami dolphins soccer kit, like screams amazing. They do some awesome kits. I don't, I'm sure they can come up with a Miami porpoises kit, something along those lines. That's the kind of pulls it together. Right. You see that you see where I'm going.
Branton (45:19.373)
Yeah.
Branton (45:30.56)
Oh man, if they'd all I would have looked so good sitting in that suite yesterday with the Miami porpoises kid on.
Mike (45:38.974)
right in Miami port with the right colors and like and again, like the cuffs definitely got a copy of the cuffs. The cuffs look great. Like I think you could make this really into a really great kit. I think it's a real opportunity for all of New York to do something. I think, you know, what's pause until we see the third kit, but then when it releases to do something like that, I think would be amazing.
Branton (45:44.482)
Yeah.
Branton (45:55.968)
Yeah, I agree. Let me get that off the screen. I'm getting nauseous looking at that shit But you know, it's exciting to think that we're moving in that direction and getting a new kit um, but yeah, I would be Shocked if that kid ever sees the light of day, but I do think we see that badge
Mike (46:19.774)
Yeah, I do too. The only reason we might not is if it was a white bass kit, I think that would clash a little bit. But I'm excited to see our crest in those colors one way or another. It's gonna look great. And, and we've South Florida has always been really good about kind of sharing the heritage. I think that the heats the heat has had the fusion kits before. I love the Marlins. Like, there's been a lot of that teal shows up in a lot of different places. I love getting the four gonna
Branton (46:29.292)
Yeah, we gotta make it happen.
Branton (46:37.921)
Mm-hmm.
Branton (46:45.156)
Yeah.
Mike (46:48.75)
and kind of buy in that deal as well.
Branton (46:50.956)
Yeah, I do too. And, and what's nice to see is like, there's this growing trend in south Florida sports, right? Like we've seen like crossover events, like we've had, like the Marlins have had a heat night and like you Donnis Haslam is there throwing out the first pitch and sign the contract. And, um, you know, the Panthers have had Marlins nights and heat nights and, and the Marlins had a Panthers night too. I forget what they did, but, um,
Seeing that kind of relationship building between the teams. My only concern is I never really like Inter Miami hasn't been involved in those things yet. So seeing us like move in that direction to start building those relationships is cool.
Mike (47:30.686)
Well, I saw I went to the Dolphins game when they played the Giants earlier this year and Biscuetz was there. Biscuetz was honored. I think they honored him with but he was honored. So I think we're starting to see that crossover already. I'm not really expecting Messi to show up and all this stuff. I don't really think he knows much about actually, to be fair, baseball, basketball are pretty international now. But the other guys will.
Branton (47:38.029)
cough
Branton (47:46.618)
Yeah.
Branton (47:51.273)
No, but.
Branton (47:56.004)
Busey has been at Marlins games. The only one I haven't seen him at is a Panthers game. That doesn't mean he wasn't there. I just haven't seen it, because I don't really watch hockey.
Mike (48:06.91)
And call me crazy, but I feel like Suarez will end up with some of these games to just having fun like just literally having a good time. Now, the reason Suarez might not go to Marlins game is because they got rid of the Cleveland or downstairs like if they had the Cleveland or he just be hanging out there.
Branton (48:12.108)
Yeah, yeah.
Branton (48:19.408)
There's still a there's it's not the Cleveland or anymore, but there's still a bar down there.
Mike (48:23.894)
Yeah, but there's no longer a pool. Like once they got rid of the pool, it wasn't the same.
Branton (48:27.528)
and the fish tanks but that's for a different podcast.
Mike (48:34.352)
Shout out to battered marlins though, right? Where you do some double time.
Branton (48:36.46)
Yeah Yeah, and you know while we're talking about battered, you know battered herons gave us a nice shout out Last week, so if you guys are new to the inner miami Podcasting realm there's a lot of great ones out there Um to listen to so tune in and support everybody because there's a lot of room in la familia for everyone and we all offer something different, so You might not like our takes but you might
You might find it makes a lot of sense when you listen to somebody else's takes. It's all good. But speaking of
Mike (49:10.218)
Yeah, absolutely. And I think it's funny because I think battered herons, I think is recording as we're recording right now, which means we can't be over there poking fun at them. But I do want to get...
Branton (49:17.049)
Yeah.
harassing them like we normally do or getting invited last minute to go on a rant.
Mike (49:25.394)
Yeah, I do want to get Chris over here because I think we owe him for some of the rants that he hasn't let us really go on over there.
Branton (49:31.12)
Yeah, well, they let me go on about that US Open Cup, but again, another podcast. But speaking of bad takes, you know, I think one thing we'd like to touch on before we wrap things up is kind of twofold talking about transfer rumors. And do we think that we need these transfer rumors? What positions do we still think are going to be filled? So.
You know, I don't know what you're thinking, Mike. I don't know what targets you'd like to see, but hit us up.
Mike (50:02.826)
Well, so kind of kind of going back to where we were last week, obviously for those who follow us on social media, you'll see that I was completely wrong on calling up Miles Robinson to fit our CV needs. Cause I think the day after we published, uh, Miles got picked up and is going to Cincinnati who I would put money on as the repeat supporter shield winners, uh, because they now look fantastic on that back line. Uh, I, I now think center back is our number one need like hands down
Branton (50:31.649)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (50:32.742)
I just, when we lost Kamal, we got to replace him. And, and I do think Sergey, I haven't heard a lot of transfer rumors on Sergey yet, like I haven't officially, even though I kind of ranted on it last week, I still think he's not long for this team. He just doesn't fit the mold. That being said, like we need centerbacks. No, someone who plays a low block.
Branton (50:49.824)
I don't know who else wants him though. If he stays as a depth piece, I'm fine with that.
Mike (50:56.658)
like Sergey on a team that's playing a low block. Sergey is Sergey is a starter. And he's your starter of starters. He's an Iron Man player does not get injured. He has Champions League experience. You know, he knows how to play this game. He saved our asses. I don't know if we decided we're cursing or not. Now, he saved our butts quite a few times. Oh, good. I can curse. He saved our butts multiple times. He just can't play on a team that's playing a highline like we are.
Branton (51:09.848)
Yeah.
Branton (51:15.32)
Yeah, Mark, this is explicit.
Branton (51:22.532)
Yeah.
Mike (51:25.31)
a team that's low block, he's going to do fine on. And so I think there are suitors out there. I just haven't heard any rumors. But again, if we didn't hear any Kamal Miller rumors and all of a sudden he was gone. So there might not be any smoke before this fire.
Branton (51:37.6)
Yeah, yeah, and that's a that's a good point we might see him on the move I just I don't know I don't I don't know that I don't know I really his lack of athleticism I think hurts him in MLS because it seems like we're trying to go more attack minded and getting better quality attackers into the league and I just don't know I don't know it's a big question I like him
I think to your point, like a low block, like he's your guy. Um, but I don't know that that's the trend in MLS right now. So maybe a move abroad, but.
Mike (52:16.24)
you're not to make this the circuit talk but I could see Nashville going again you know, Jim I love Zimmerman but Zimmerman is not the most athletic guy he's been captaining that team and they're in a DP over there.
Branton (52:27.648)
Yeah, but you don't but you don't partner two guys like that together
Mike (52:32.038)
No, no, you don't. But I'm just saying there are teams playing that style play successfully in MLS where he could be effective and maybe he is your backup but your or depth piece but
Branton (52:41.689)
How many trophies does Nashville have?
Mike (52:46.354)
You know, Nashville's doing pretty good.
Branton (52:47.224)
That's what I thought. They're not doing it successfully if they're not winning games or trophies.
Mike (52:52.882)
Nashville was second in the East two years ago. So he was running in.
Branton (52:57.74)
You don't get a trophy for second place.
Mike (53:01.154)
You still look at teams that are successful. Philadelphia hasn't won a lot of trophies either, but you look at them and go, that's a successful team.
Branton (53:09.184)
Um, they wouldn't support her shield that that's pretty big deal. I made it to the like two years ago.
Mike (53:16.086)
When they went supporter, how many years, that was a couple of years back. That's, that's when they, no, they lost two years ago was a LAFC. No, LAFC squeaked by.
Branton (53:24.36)
No, they won supporter shield didn't they? Whatever it's not important. Oh No, I think the year before that they won it
Mike (53:30.606)
I'm searching for this now, maybe you're right.
Branton (53:35.076)
They won it recently, I'm pretty sure. So anyway, while Mike looks up and proves me right. Yeah, no, I agree. I think defense is where we need to go with additions. I don't know how many more outgoings we see. We talked about Gatlin at top.
Mike (53:35.362)
You keep on talking. I'm looking this up for you.
Branton (53:56.undefined)
I think attacking wise, I don't think we let too many people go. So I don't see us bringing in too many more attackers. I'd be okay with another. I think we're going to need a another, if not a CDM, another midfielder because Gregory is just like those rumors won't go away. The dude I want to keep him. I love I love having him on the field. He's like a pit bull, but he's expensive.
So we'll see if he stays put or if we can get something for him. But the rumors are he's got one foot in Brazil already. So we'll see.
Mike (54:32.71)
Okay, just to be clear, they won the supporters field in 2020, which was 2020, which is that weird year, and they lost in the first round.
Branton (54:36.773)
Okay.
Branton (54:40.18)
Listen, if we count making the playoffs in 2020, then they can count the supporters shield.
Mike (54:45.618)
Okay, and then they lost in the first round to New England. So yeah, they have a trophy. But I'm just saying like, you still look at Philadelphia, you go, that's a great team. That's a team we could all learn from. And I think, especially for kind of the battle that's happened in Miami circles of Yeah, I'm just saying like, don't batter teams that just haven't won yet.
Branton (54:51.086)
Yep.
Branton (54:59.5)
You can learn like youth development from Philly, but, and I agree like.
Branton (55:08.448)
I don't think Nashville's gonna win this year either, but we'll save that for our prediction show.
Mike (55:12.99)
No, they just got rid of Dax McCarty. So I'm like, I'm super pro Dax. I think what I just read a rumor he's going to Atlanta now, maybe in Lancer New York. But once you dump McCarty, you deserve to lose.
Branton (55:21.088)
Yeah, yeah, I think that I didn't see it was final but Yeah, yeah, but we'll see. I mean we'll save that for like I said another time But you know, we already talked about gressil being the new rumor um The daheya thing like won't go away. I keep seeing that pop up every now and then I have zero Zero percent confidence that will happen. Um, there's no way he comes to this league
I think he wants too much money. Um, but if he did, I do think that's an upgrade.
Mike (55:58.914)
So I think I think there's truth this rumor especially after what happened LAFC. I think we are looking to shop players in the league to bring in money to bring in people outside the league. And kind of we saw an LAFC was it was cheaper to bring in an external guy for a short term contract than keep an internal guy for a long term. I think the hair has legs that rumor I don't know how true it is. And I'm kind of wondering if
the reason it's not gaining more traction is because calendar isn't getting the interest people expected him to get. And so that's kind of an open question that a counter was just called up and all of everyone so I think two days ago, he's been called up to the next US men's national team camp. Now, there's an asterisk on that because every single person being called up as an MLS player. So it doesn't it's not it's not quite what it was for like the nation's league spots where there was some international talent on scene. This is all us and then MNT. But
Branton (56:50.22)
Yeah.
Branton (56:53.832)
I'd just like to see him put on the jersey and play. And I think he's got a good shot at doing that.
Mike (56:58.102)
So, so just calling out I I've got my one of my the calendar USA jersey that scheme that sign not worn was signed like I would love for it to see a real him in a real jersey and finally go out and buy that. I think he's done all the work. I think he's earned it and frankly, I don't think us men's keepers internationally are doing the work right now. I don't think we can look at any of the keepers internationally and say they're stepping up. I would not be surprised to see a
Branton (57:10.35)
Yeah.
Mike (57:28.342)
Like on the roster from MLS, like I think you'll see an MLS, uh, keeper on that roster this year. But 12 months ago, that wasn't true, right? You didn't have to, now you have to.
Branton (57:31.952)
Oh yeah, you have to at this point.
Branton (57:41.929)
Yeah, I guess that's fair depends on what whore bath and Well, no really whore bath and I mean if you get what's his name GG from Chelsea might see him but
Mike (57:54.58)
But he's not playing either.
Branton (57:57.292)
Yeah, but it's Greg Burhalter, man. The guy just does crazy shit. But
Mike (58:04.686)
I think we're going to see, I don't know what MLS keeper, because I think there's a couple out there, but you're going to see one coming from US men's national team. I think there is a realistic chance calendar could be on that roster if he does, he plays well at the national team level and this chance and yeah.
Branton (58:12.416)
Yeah. Well.
Branton (58:18.606)
Yeah.
And if he keeps playing well in the season too. So, you know, I, I was worried about this until I was worried about losing calendar until I saw Portland, um, sign, uh, what's his, what's his face from LAFC. Yeah. I was nervous about calendar because I was like, this is just lining up for Phil to just take like his best players and the players that were
Mike (58:40.483)
Crepeau?
Branton (58:51.296)
you know, in my mind, probably pretty loyal to him because they got their, their starts with him. And, and I thought calendar might go there, but now that they've signed him, I think that was probably your biggest suitor for him. Um, Colorado bringing in Zach, Stefan I think eliminates another team that, I mean, to be honest, they need everything. They don't just need a keeper, but, um, you know, so I, I'm more confident that we keep calendar.
Mike (59:16.406)
I think that...
Mike (59:19.99)
I so one thing I hadn't said and I met said earlier on the show is we Henderson has alluded to and taught the two that there's a lot of moves we are planning on making. We haven't done anything yet. And the timeline is getting pretty near because again, the 19th is next Friday. For our friends about herons, I'll be getting on a cruise ship on that day. So I won't get to see a game because I love cruising. And they're wrong about that. But I do think we're gonna see a lot of moves in the next two weeks.
Branton (59:28.789)
Ahem.
Mike (59:49.694)
I again, will not be surprised tomorrow or next day there is a move and it's gonna be dominoes once the first move happens the second move the third move the fourth moves are just gonna go I expect four or five total moves
Branton (59:59.18)
Yeah Well, I think we have to see a couple departures first I'll probably see like two or three departures and then we see Who's replacing him come in right away? Because like I think Gressel is just we're waiting to have the cab space to bring him in so we got to move someone You know the last guy we'll talk about because this one came up I think in the last two weeks is Christian Medina from Boca He's a
Center mid who can play on the right side as well. Very attacking attack minded player Um, so you know kind of fits the profile young guy. He was on the argentina u17 world cup team He's he's played pretty well for boca this year Um, I know there's other european teams in for him. So who knows if we actually get him but We'll see
Mike (01:00:55.562)
So the only way I think this works is if your favorite, well, now your second favorite striker on the team is no longer on the team. Cause I think you, you only way you bring Medina is as a U 22 DP. All right. I'm sorry. As a DP. No, see, I meant, I meant to just say just DP, like he's going to want DP level money. I don't think you're going to buy him down with Tam and the only way.
Branton (01:01:04.339)
Mmm.
Branton (01:01:07.684)
that that's gone away. You don't need a U 22 DP and I think Oh,
Well, so I think you can, I think there's a way and it's if Gregory leaves, I think if Gregory leaves, because remember Gregory had to be bought down as a DP. So if Gregory leaves, I think we can buy down Leo and bring in Medina. But I think it's, I think you're right though. I think one of those two have to go in order to bring him in.
Mike (01:01:32.491)
Mm. That's...
Mike (01:01:38.546)
Yeah. Because he's going to have to come in as a DP.
Branton (01:01:42.356)
And Emerson something else happened with that guy too, because now we've got four youth DPs.
Mike (01:01:45.91)
No one. Yeah, but no one knows what's going on with Emerson. Like Emerson is this year's Oh my god, who's the Italian, the Italian that ended up at NYCFC, Pellegrini. Like, remember, it was like new on new was going on and finally Pellegrini was gone. Emerson is the same way. It's they're trying to wrap that puts that one under. I could almost see Emerson being one of those guys we just buy out his contracts and just make it go away.
Branton (01:01:58.125)
Oh, he's not Italian. He's Argentine.
Branton (01:02:07.834)
Yeah.
Branton (01:02:11.588)
Probably.
Probably but we'll see. I mean like you said, I think we're gonna start getting real busy and I'm all for it because I want to see what this team looks like and I'd like it I'd like to have it together for a full preseason So that means in the next week Henderson's dominoes have to start falling
Mike (01:02:33.45)
Yeah, it's gonna fall real quick. I mean, I could see maybe the first game. We don't have everyone out there. And but by the time we're in Dallas, we should we should have a pretty good idea what's going on.
Branton (01:02:39.088)
Yeah.
Branton (01:02:44.92)
Before we go overseas, I think as long as we're playing in El Salvador and Dallas, I think we can make additions up to then. But anybody we're taking overseas needs to be going to be with the team for the long haul in my opinion. Um, but, uh, one, one last piece of news, um, for anybody who's local and has been following this scene from day one, you guys probably already know, um,
Mike (01:02:56.14)
Yeah.
Branton (01:03:13.164)
You know, one of the best guys to cover covered our team and one of the first to do it. Austin has announced today that he's going to step back.
formerly of the Heron Outlet and of Messi and co that he's no longer in me covering the team to move on to focus on other things and to get his career started in other ways. And, you know, I definitely wish him all the best starting out listening to this team and following this team. He was one of the first voices that I heard on Heron Outlet. And so really, really glad that he got to contribute to this team and got to contribute to.
to the community that's now formed La Familia. And I'm gonna be sad not to see him or hear him covering the team, but he did say he's gonna be at games as a season ticket holder, so hopefully we can hang out with him a little bit more now that he doesn't have press duties.
Mike (01:04:13.738)
Yeah, no, I gotta agree. Like super sad. I saw that tweet this I think this morning and just really disappointed. I used to listen to his pod and just really good, you know, feedback information. You know, I have to acknowledge it's really hard to be a beat reporter for Inter Miami in Miami right now. I think Michelle Kaufman really went into it on a Guardian article about how hard it's gotten recently. You know, she used to say that she'd be the only one there practices and now there's helicopters over the practices.
Branton (01:04:30.444)
Mm-hmm.
Mike (01:04:42.318)
I really hope that he's kind of the last to leave, that the other one, Michelle and Alex and the others stick around because in two or three years when things die down, someone's going to have to cover this again. I think Brandon, you and I are friends of better herons, heron heads. We're all talking heads. We're not really the beat reporters. I think most of us aren't really trying to become the beat reporters. We really count on people like Austin and Ian and Alex and Michelle to go do that.
Branton (01:04:47.289)
Yeah.
Branton (01:05:03.161)
Yeah.
Mike (01:05:11.806)
So best of luck to Austin. We're going to miss him. I think the teams, the team, the community is really going to miss him. I agree with you. It's exciting that he's going to be able to join us at the tailgates and have a little bit more fun. I'm sure he's going to be excited that he actually can wear in the Miami games to close to games. I know when you go in the press room, you're not allowed to be in kit. So he can not wear that stuff again, but yeah, super disappointed. Wishing him the absolute best of luck with wherever his future takes him. And then hopefully we haven't heard the last of him.
Branton (01:05:27.194)
Yeah.
Mike (01:05:41.227)
professionally at least.
Branton (01:05:42.584)
Yeah. And you know, kind of like what I said before, it's, it's important that as La Familia, like support as many of the, the independent journalists that you can, um, you know, we really rely on them to be our eyes and ears in the team. They're at practice, they're grinding it. And often they're either not getting paid or getting paid very little. So anything we can do to support them, like give them follows on Twitter.
uh, read their articles, things like that, like get involved because if we, if we don't support them, Austin won't be the last one to go away. And, um, you know, it, fortunately he's going away on his own terms. It's not something like he didn't have enough support. He's moving on to bigger and better things, but, um, that may not be the case with the next one we lose and then we don't want to lose any of the OGs. They've been here.
with us through the pain. And so now that we're in what we hope is the best era of the team so far, we'd like them all to still be here with us. So, yeah. So on that note.
Mike (01:06:50.114)
Man, we're not really leaving this on a high note. It's kind of getting a low note. So luckily, our theme song is pretty popping. So kind of get the energy back up. Though hopefully, hopefully Brian, you're not going to screw this up and let the, have the entire crowd see me dancing. Like if you watch our episode one, I didn't know I was still being recorded and I was dancing along to it. So this time I'm just going to be very stoic. Not going to dance on the chance that I'm still being recorded when you kind of hit us with the outro.
Branton (01:06:54.136)
Well...
Yeah.
Branton (01:07:13.772)
I might leave it in, honestly. I might leave it in. That was the best, uh, best part of the show in my opinion. But, um, no, if you've made it this far, uh, thank you guys for joining us on episode two of the inner Miami show. Uh, we hope you enjoyed exploring the preseason schedule, the third kit talk, the transfer rumors with us today. Um, if you found value in our conversation, please, uh, like and subscribe, um, we're on.
All our social media handles are at inner Miami show. Get on, hit us up on YouTube, subscribe, hit the bell. So you get the notifications whenever we post new episodes and you wanna be on YouTube too, because once we go live you guys can interact with us and be part of the show. And yeah, if you liked it, you liked the show please consider subscribing give.
Give us a review as well that always helps and you know share the podcast with your friends and family and other people in La Familia who maybe haven't heard us and You know as always if you have any suggestions drop us hit us up on social media. We're here for you We want to hear from you. We want to answer your questions. We want to give you the takes you want to hear So thanks again for listening and we will be back next week
Episode three and we're gonna try and keep you informed on the season as we can continue along together
Mike (01:08:42.566)
And if news breaks, if you know, big transfers happen before next week, we'll drop something sooner. We are, you know, just kind of double down. We are answering all the social media posts we get. Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, we jump in, we talk. Love to have conversations with the individually and then yeah, love to look forward to having everyone join us on the show. Once we kind of finish working out the kinks of this recording.
Branton (01:09:08.244)
like no outro. So, audio listeners will hear the outro. Unfortunately, YouTube listeners, you guys aren't going to get grace with it today because it's not working. So thanks again and we'll talk to you next week.
Mike (01:09:19.371)
Yeah