FiredUp Network
Tuesday, July 23: Timeout KC Soccer
>> Welcome into timeout, KC Soccer. We're here on the Fire Dump Network, and we're covering Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Current. As their seasons both move into an extended international break, a tournament break as we get ready for the Olympic Games to kick off, which both teams have a involvement in, so we can talk about that in a little bit. But before we get into it, I just want to make sure you know the best way to get the Fire Dump Network is to download that True TV Plus app. It's available anywhere you get your apps totally free. You can find it in Apple and Amazon and Roku, and even on the Google Chromecast, True TV Plus feature channel, the Fire Dump Network, you can also see me on Wrestling Spotlight, which is included on that True TV Plus platform. But hey, let's get into it. It was another busy week in Kansas City. Soccer, even though the season's coming up to a break, Sporting Kansas City wrapped up a tough stretch of Major League Soccer and US Open Play with a 1-1 draw in the rain against what I think is easy to say now. Their biggest rival in Major League Soccer, St. Louis City Soccer Club. Big contingent of St. Louis fans up at Children's Mercy Park for the game, ends in a 1-1 draw, and the Kansas City current started off their battle between the NWSL and LIGAMX, the Feminetal Summer Cup. They took out the Houston Dash 3-1 in what was a return to the winning ways for the current after a little bit of time off, after taking a 2-1 loss to Orlando in their last game at CPKC Stadium. The current came off to a running start with Michelle Cooper, banging in the first goal at 55 seconds into the match. She now owns the two fastest goals in Kansas City current team history, one in 22 seconds and one in 55 seconds. Summer Cup game like this. It's Schwinga, serves in a dangerous cross, and it's touched home. Cooper puts Kansas City on the board just seconds into this match. We're going to hear from current head coach of Flacko. We'll also hear from current players, Regan Steiglider, and Kristen Hamilton. Kristen Hamilton scored the third goal in the game against Houston, and then we'll move over to Children's Mercy Park. We'll hear from Peter Fermise and also from Timilia, the sporting goalkeeper talking about the game and talking about what's coming up for sporting in the Leaks Cup tournament. Let's kick it off with Flacko following that return to the winning ways for the Kansas City current as they beat Houston 3-1 to kick off the battle between NWSL and League of Max. Yeah, I have to say first that we scored a beautiful goal to start the game, which was the best thing that happened for us, but at the same time was the worst thing that happened to us, because right at the moment it felt like, "Oh, this is going to be easy." And there's no easy game in this league. There's no easy game in this competition. So I think that instead of motivating us and inspiring us, it deflated us a little bit, and obviously when they scored a goal, they got more motivated. They started playing a little bit better, they connected a little bit better, and it just looked a little bit disjointed for us, and I can't say the second half, it looked any better. But I'm very proud of the team that, as I don't know, if I can say as bad as we were, we still found a way to win, and that's a characteristic of a good team. Obviously, if this happens, gaming and game out, it's not going to work long-term, but we get one game like this, it's okay. As long as we get the result, it will give us something to work on when we go back in the locker room. Yes, obviously we haven't had a chance to think a lot about that, but we watched the game last night, we watched several games from their competition, and we're going to try to prepare as best as we can, but it's exciting. I'm actually excited about the players to see something different, something new players that haven't played against, team they haven't played against, and it's exciting for us. I mean, it's a challenge for the coaches too, so I can't tell you how we're going to prepare or what we're going to do, but I can't tell you that we're going to put the time and effort to showcase herself in the best possible manner. Shall I ask the league record for the best as well, and now it's the summer club for the best as well, what makes her such a wicked good score? I didn't know that the record, but I'm happy for her, happy for the team, obviously, if there's one thing that one characteristic that we have, or it is certainly part of our DNA, is fast attacks, like we attack fast. It's something that we want to do, we want to be aggressive going forward, and thanks to the teammates that she has, obviously allowed her to score very goals early. Yeah, questions for Coach? Tom? A little bit, we wanted to try something, but also it's what the opponent gave us, because when they were compact as they were essentially playing with the numbers that they played in the central channel, we had to occupy the Y channel and try to break them down on the side. I think that we did actually a good job in getting around and getting on the side. We created some good opportunities, scored a couple of good goals off of it, so it worked, but it still needs to be refined. All right, could you do have a question from the chat, Wes Underwood, from the Sportstime podcast. What was your message to the team at halftime? It started with basically the goal being the best and the worst thing that happened to us, but I told them a second half that not to look at the clock and worry about how much time we have or how much time we don't have is just to focus on the things that we have to do. And like I said, early on in second half, it still looked a little bit disjointed. I think the subs made a difference. I'm happy with Desi and Hemi when they came in. Desi connected good passes and gave us just a little more stability. And then obviously Hemi first, I think she created the second goal and then scored the third goal. So that was one of the things that there was I think the biggest difference. How about your thoughts on the back line before it's especially in the second half? I thought they were great. I mean considering that we played with four fullbacks in the back line, I thought they did a good job. You can tell that at the beginning they were good, the goal, and then there was another shot that came from distance. They were hesitant to step up. But I thought in the second half they performed very well. Even the first half I thought they performed well. And I think the ultimate value different in this match, we made it out to you to dance in this match. We just take it one game at a time. Obviously we wanted to win this one. We did. Now Pachuca is our next game and it is the most important game for us. Once we're done with that one, we're going to focus on Tigris. Now let's hear what the current players had to say about this tournament atmosphere as the NWSL gets through the Olympic break and we'll get a little bit of international competition as Liga MX comes to Kansas City as well. The current is going to take on Pocha on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium. Coming up on the 27th, we get a chance to talk to both Riggan Stigletter and Kristen Hamilton about what they thought of this game and just the international competition and getting back on a winning foot. Here they are. Can I just repeat everything that Chita said? But yeah, I mean the work, being patient, just waiting for our opportunity. As she said, we both have been working so hard on and off the field, so just waiting and clearly, we, well, hand me the score of the goal, so yeah, but. I did forget to mention the point on the next question. Kristen Hamilton, old times reported career goal across all competitions. Congratulations. Thank you. I don't think so. Just mic drop there. Riggan, why don't you talk a little bit about the background performance? Both first and second half and how you guys stepped up to the question there? Yeah, I think the first half we had a couple of issues that Vladko and the coaches addressed and the second half we stepped it up, which obviously you can see on the field. Also, it was definitely four outside back, so we're in the back line. But I personally and Haley have played center back a few times, so we were ready to get to them. But yeah, yeah. And Haley, I'm sorry. Who's that? Something like throughout the night? I don't know how much I liked it. I'm one of the best team in the year that made that center back. Um, yeah, kind of. I mean, we had the one injury. That occurred, so it was a little bit. Um, yes and no, I'll leave it there. Yeah, I mean, being around the league a long time, I think that that's pretty consistent with kind of how things go. Um, you know, you score early, it's great, it's exciting, but at the same time, you kind of let your foot off the gas a little bit. Um, I mean, I personally didn't think that we let off too much. I think that Houston solved a few issues right after that goal. Um, and yeah, I mean, it was just, it was a lot of new people and a lot of new pieces in a system, you know, that we're all familiar with, but playing with new people, playing in new positions. So I think overall, we did a really good job of executing the game plan. No, no, literally no pressure at all. Honestly, I think this is probably the least amount of pressure I've ever felt in my career. Um, just a moment of being like, I'm ready for it. You know, when my time comes, I've been on this field doing this a long time, um, and kind of just accepting that and leaning into that experience that I've had. Um, yeah, I mean, this team is great and, you know, whatever I do on the field or don't do on the field, um, you know, at the end of the day, it's out of my hands. So I just kind of went in with that mentality and had fun. The second bowl, you know, kind of loose ball in the box, you kind of see low out of the side, you were breaking her lower, what were you saying? Yeah, as it bounced out, I was like, I know, I know she was crashing the near post, so, um, I mean, I just saw red shirts running towards the goal, so I didn't necessarily know it was low, but, um, I was like, my job is in second phase to keep this ball alive, so do what I could. We won't say right before that, it smashed me right in the side of the face. So Ryan gets the hockey assist. All right, let's look at how excited are you to invite international teams to your house? Like, what is that meant to you to be able to come to this and just be there? I'm too proud of you. Yeah, absolutely. I think, you know, within the end of Bessel, it's even cool just to have other teams come here and see what we've built, because, you know, like I said, this is my 10th year in the league, and I can tell you right now, not a lot, nobody else has facilities, like this training facilities are especially obviously the stadium. So getting to show anybody kind of what we have is, it's a little bit of bragging rights, honestly. So it's pretty cool, and getting to show now the world stage, what we have, and what the end of Bessel is like, is it's a really cool feeling. Now, obviously, the season's gone incredibly well for the Kansas City current, as they've only dropped one game all season, and that's to the team that's sitting at the top of the table in the NWSL. On the other side of the city, sporting Kansas City has struggled. They had another long winless streak come much like last year, but if you look at last year, after that long winless streak, sporting turned it on, and they were one of the best teams in MLS. From that point, when they got their win and broke the streak, until they made it deep into the playoffs, including knocking off last week's opponent, St. Louis, in the playoffs, this wasn't a playoff game, but it had a playoff-like atmosphere at Children's Mercy Park. As thousands of fans came out from St. Louis, they had a really strong supporter section, and the Kansas City fans showed up as well. Very animated game. You wouldn't think that these were two teams that were fighting for their playoff lives. Real intense game, and both teams really kind of gave it that were all out there. Few controversial calls will hear Tim Mealy talk about it, and Peter Vermeez talked about it. Team Captain Johnny Russell was begging for the red card on St. Louis wasn't to come, ends up in a 1-1 draw. Let's hear Peter Vermeez had to say about the game. Peter, you guys go down a goal. Get the goal there from Willy to get you guys out of here with a point. Just overall thought on the match and thoughts on the response in the second half. I think it's a game that I expected the way it would be. It would be intense, whatever. It's going to be those games. These games will continue to take on that life as we move forward. So, from that perspective, it was fine. I think I don't really think we gave up a lot in the game, be honest with you, other than, I don't know what Timmy was doing on that goal kick in the second half, other than that, everything else was pretty much back and forth both teams. The goalkeeper made a great save on the tip on Tim in the first half with his right foot, which I've never seen him do before, just finally. So, yeah, I think the fact that we came back was good. We had a good mentality to do that. I think after we scored the goal, maybe we missed a little bit of push, but I think it's got to take in the situation. We've had a lot of games, man. So, the guys have expended a lot of energy. I do thank the gods today because the weather was very helpful, for sure, because if it would have been a hot day, it would have affected us a lot, maybe them as well, I don't know, but us a lot, just because of the number of games. What was your view on that foul there in the first half? Second yellow card at a minimum. I mean, it's not even a question, but what's amazing to me still is, is that the VAR could have sent the center over to look at it for a possible red in which he could have came back and then said yellow, second yellow. I firmly believe, firmly believe, that he chose not to give the second yellow because of how quick, because his first yellow was, yeah, as I say, it was like a minute and a half or something in my head, you know, it was so quick. And it was just back to back and he didn't want to do it. And my thing about that is, and I was, there used to be a referee that was in charge, it was a referee when I played in this league, used to be head of the referees. His name was Paul Tamborino, and he's the guy that convinced me when I took on my first year in MLS, I was a GM, and we played a game in New England, and both teams had made the playoffs. It was the last game of the season. LPO, who went through on a breakaway, the guy pulled them from behind, and he gave the guy a red card, and I was like, why are you giving the guy a red card? Just give me a yellow, he's going on the playoffs, now he's got to sit out the first game of the playoffs. This game didn't mean anything, and he said, you can't referee the result, you have to referee as a referee, you have to referee the fouls, the laws of the game. And he convinced me that day in that conversation. And it doesn't matter, a fouls, a fouls, a foul. If a guy trips you, whether he crushes you or he trips you, it's still a trip. And this is the same thing in this situation. He goes through with a straight leg, he never touches the ball, he stands on the, you see it all the time, guys stand on guys legs all the time. Sometimes guys get red cards for that, but the fact that he just blows it off like it was nothing, is because he didn't want to give him a red card. Did you get any explanation from him at all after the match? I said, I'll take a look at it. I said, that's great. Now that you can't do anything about it, what's it going to do? Peter, you got the one goal on the night, but I think, according to thought, Bob, it said it almost two and a half XG on the night. So the chances were coming. So what did you see even though that you didn't get the end product, what did you see from the attacks night that looked like? Yeah, I think we're busy. I think we're busy in and around there, and I think we created it like, you know, we got in and around there, but I wouldn't say that we got a ton of really open looks, if you will. But again, I think there were some good chances well taken. I think they're, I think a goalkeeper is top. I really do. I think he's a great goalkeeper. I guess that he makes a tremendous save on Daniels, he makes a tremendous save on Tim's, his distribution, he's just a really good goalkeeper. And sometimes, you know, those guys play really well. And he did, he did tonight. On the on Agones goal, I mean, how impressed were you with Allen's just law? Yeah, no, no. You know, this is, I think sometimes people don't realize what contributions that Allen makes because they only look at if he did his score or whatever. But he, he can, he finds ways, and there was a player that used to play in this league when I played his name is Jaime Moreno, played for DC United. Great player. And Jaime had this ability to, when the team needed a number nine, he was number nine. When he, when the team needed a number 10, he could be a number 10. If they needed a seven or 11, not wide, he could, like, he could go do what the game needed. And he read the game and Allen has that same, you know, craftiness in the game. He's just, he's just really intelligent, instinctive and I was, was a great ball because he put it in a place like you can't miss, you know, and, but, but really difficult for a lot of people to get to because they're all biting on the ball. You know, they're, they're, everybody's going towards the ball. The goal's here and they want to go to the ball. And he just, he just takes everybody out of the game. And, and Willie, Willie's really good from two yards out. Um, with, with Jake gone, the midfield is not now even more slim. I mean, uh, Rimey, Rimey comes back and plays very well tonight. I mean, just, what are you saying from the midfield? Yeah. Look, I would say that we miss, uh, Jake and we also miss, uh, memo having that circulation of guys, right, to be able to rotate those guys and even in games like this to bring, you know, two new guys on or whatever and just be a freshness man would be, it would have been a big help to a game like this. Um, you know, Johnny's not 100%. That's why I took Johnny off is he, I mean, he didn't play in our last game at all. We didn't even dress him. Um, but he fought through it. You know, he'll, you know, he'll complain and he wants to play 90 minutes and all that stuff. I get it, but, um, I understand that and I respect that of any player, whoever wants to play, doesn't want to come off. But at the end of the day, he was hurting a little bit. So we had some guys that were out. Um, but I thought the other guys did a really good job in the game and they, they met the intensity and also, at times, you know, we gave it a little bit, which is good. And we got to, we got to get to that place. And then Kyrie and Robby having another, another good game and then just an atmosphere tonight, another Derby, just what did you see? Yeah, this is, this is great. This is great for, I say it all time. It's great for the two clubs, but it's great for our league. I think this is necessary. You need to have these kinds of games. I just wish these kinds of games for every week, right? Because it would, it would, it would change the environment. And, and that's what we have to get to. Um, I think that changes with a lot of different things. It, it, it, uh, there's got to be, I don't know, however you want to do it. It's got to be bigger purses at the end. There's got to be, um, increased investment in, in, in players because it, when that happens, the competitive in this rises and it just makes a great environment. I think, and these are games that you want to watch, you know, as a, as a, as a spectator. Um, as, as a coach, these are kind of games that I want to, I want to coach in. Um, so it was good. Uh, yeah, great environment. Hey, Peter, I wanted to ask about the growth that we've seen from Willie this year and, and just the chemistry that's developing between Alon and Willie. They've had a couple of really nice, you know, beautiful girls the last couple of weeks. Yeah, it's funny when I, when I, when I put those guys, uh, I think it was the last time Willie gave him the assist on a goal here between our two teams. Is that right? Right? And then I'm looking at Kurt, because Kurt's like the, he's like a savant. And then, and then, uh, and then, you know, Alon gives him a return one. I guess what I would say is, is that at times when we play a four, two, three, one, those two guys, they're, they complement each other in a lot of different ways. And, and, and so yeah, it's been a big help and I think that's one of the reasons why we've created a lot of chances when we play that formation. I do think the way that we started in the game was actually really good playing a four, three, three. It was the right thing to do. But to make the adjustment afterwards, especially with Johnny coming off was helped us a lot getting those two together. Got one question on Zoom from Wes Underwood with the Sportstime Out podcast. Ask what was your message to the team at half time after going down and what were your thoughts on the back lines performance in the second half? The message was is that there's, there's going to be a lot of chances in the second half and we're going to get our opportunity. We just need to stay patient to it. And then the other is is that I, I think though, from the very beginning of the game, the whole idea was is to make sure that we're incredibly compact and, and really realize that a lot of their game is just, you know, played the long ball, fight for second balls and try to, try to go score on you. That's what they, I thought from that perspective, we did a pretty good job. Could have been better. Second half was much better. First half was not as good on, on the second balls. But outside of the goal that they scored, it wasn't as if there was a lot created by them. Peter, thank you very much. Now we did have a chance to talk with Tim Mealya after the game and talk about the stretch that sporting's gone on and how they get ready and kind of reset as they move into League Cup play Sunday, taking on Chicago Fire. Rock us atmosphere. So you've played in a few of these now getting close to double digits. So just your thoughts again on the atmosphere and how it compared to past games. Electric atmosphere, our fans do such a good job coming out, supporting us, you know, no matter where we are in the table. That's what's so special about playing at this club is we have the full support of the fans and as the players on the field and the organization, we don't take that for granted. So I think these games are a lot of fun for players to play in because it doesn't really matter where you sit in the table. It's a, you know, energetic physical, tough game and I think it was that again tonight. And by and large, the team played very well defensively. It was really just the one chance kind of on the quick counter. So what did you see there like the little mic on the box? I thought on the goal. Yeah. I think it takes away a little bit from the team's performance defensively and even even attacking wise. I mean, I think in the first half, we were really good. We were creating some really good opportunities. You know, Perky makes some phenomenal saves and then defensively, we give away one shot. You don't want to give away a shot, you know, on an attacking corner kick, but at the end of the day, we really give away one shot in the entire game. So I think, especially in the first half, if we play with that mentality, with that energy, with that competition, you know, I don't think we're sitting in the position that we're sitting in. So and it's also, you know, this is coming at the end of seven games here in however much time it's been. So I'm incredibly happy with the way we played in the first half. I think we could have been a little bit more energetic in the second half. We could have, you know, they started to sit back a little bit. They weren't as aggressive and I wish we had taken advantage of that, but we dug ourselves out. You know, Alan comes in and plays a great ball to Willie and Willie does this thing and dunks it. I think if we were a little bit more direct, maybe we get that second goal, but we got a look at the positives. Yeah. And in the second half, it looked like maybe there's just a little miss hit on that goal kick or something. What happened there? That crazy, crazy. And even though I think the strangest thing about it is I knew I couldn't touch it. So I just positioned myself, but it was one of those plays where I just put the ball down, picked my head up. I was in the process of doing something. I see kind of something change and I try to just stop my leg and it doesn't stop. It's like hits my toe, rolls in, and then I'm in a scenario where I knew I couldn't touch the ball. So I was just like, let me just get up to him and sit behind the ball. He was just as confused. So I think it worked out to an advantage, but ugly scramble. Lucky nothing happened and I can laugh about it now, but it was just one of those moments where I tried to stop my foot and it just carried through and hit my toe and played in. And then, you know, Peter mentioned Verkey on the other side. He called him, you know, one of the top keepers and he played against him a handful of times now. What's it like just goalkeeper against goalkeeper? He's just good. I mean, he makes so many saves to keep that team in games. I mean, I don't. In a normal scenario, I think it's two zero and it's a completely different game, but he's just made so many good saves and he's been so consistent over the last call it year and three quarters. So they're lucky to have music. Did you happen to see Thorson style in the first half? I think that is just kind of crazy to me. I mean, he professional foul in the first one when he holds Willie, easy yellow card. A player comes over the ball. I haven't seen a replay. I don't care if he touches the ball and goes through the shin of a player. That is a yellow red card. Not enough for a full red card. There's the easiest decision in the world to be a second yellow. And the fact that that's the player that scores, it's just unfortunate. But to me, that's that's a easy, easy second yellow and shouldn't even be a discussion. Thanks, Tim. As a team though, this was a tough stretch. You guys came out of it pretty strong, especially with the US Open. How do you feel now going into the league stuff? I think the guys need some rest. I think we'll get a day or two here. I think we've been going after it here for a couple of weeks. Anytime we have the opportunity to play in those quicker competitions for a trophy, I think it's exciting. We're at home. These are all things that we should really enjoy and try to really not let slip out of our fingertips. It's time for the transfer windows. They are open in both leagues. The Kansas City current struck first. They just made a trade to acquire Alana Cook from the Seattle range. She's a two-time defender of the year nominee for the NWSL. The center back comes over from Seattle in exchange for up to $140,000 in transfer funds and allocation money. The current is spending to get better, pick up a player to fill in for the spot on the roster that was really vacated by Gabrielle Robinson, Terry, or ACL, which has knocked her out for the year. Alana Cook comes to join the Kansas City current. She'll officially take her spot on the roster in August 1st. Another move showing that the current is committed and they want to make that run. We'll see what happens as they advance through this exhibition series in season tournament with League of MX and get ready for that second half of the NWSL season. Of course, sporting Kansas City, they can still look forward to the US Open Cup. The semi-final is set now. They're going to take on the Indy 11. The Indy 11 took out the Atlantic United and sporting Kansas City of course took out Dallas in their last match up. The game that never ended thanks to the thunderstorms. The semi-final is going to take place on August 27th. It's at Children's Mercy Park as sporting takes on the Indy 11 and that will be played to see who takes on the winner of the Seattle Sounders and LAFC for the championship. So definitely a motivated sporting Kansas City as they're now only two games away from securing a championship. If they win it, they will be the record setting five time US Open Cup champion in Major League Soccer. That's it for this week. Like you said, we got two big games. We have the Kansas City current ticket on Puccia of League MX. That's on Saturday and then sporting Kansas City taking out the Chicago Fire in League Cup play. That's on Sunday at Children's Mercy Park. We'll be back here to wrap it all up on the fired up network. Stay tuned for more sports, more entertainment and we'll see you back here on Time Out Kansas City as well. For or fired up network, I'm Gerald Bentley. Have a good night. [BLANK_AUDIO]