Hello, hello everybody and welcome to the Total Soccer Show.

My name is Taylor Rockwell, and this is a somewhat makeshift episode for me.

I'm recording under a blanket fort in New Jersey.

So apologies if the sound is a little bit wonky or if my daughter comes bursting in mid-recording to share her thoughts on Weston McKinney.

Here to bring the

professionalism to this podcast is our friend and yours, Felipe Cardenas of the athletic. Felipe, how's it going, my friend? I'm doing well, Taylor. I'm picturing you in a, like, in a fort with like pillows and a bunch of covers and things like that. My son would love it, so. Oh, yeah, that's the best way to record. You put the pillows around you. You have the little peephole in case someone does come knocking. You can check it out. But ultimately, you can focus on the podcast ahead. I'm glad that your son would approve. Of course. Yeah, we do that every weekend. Forts are cool. You know it. I do appreciate that you are bringing the professionalism to this one.

We talked a little bit before we started recording, and you were watching this game last night, the USA's resounding win over Grenada.

That's I'm supposed to pronounce it apparently.

Five no win for the U.S.

Felipe, your overall thoughts on the game.

I think everybody was maybe expecting that win, but do you find yourself having some questions answered, or do you have as many or more questions as you had going in?

I feel like because of the opponent, there's not a lot to take away. I think it was very

intentional that the players that were on the field where they were playing. And that's what these games are for.

Greg Burhalter or any national team coach is going to test certain players, give them a

tryout, essentially, to see if they're worthy of going to a World Cup.

And so I think that's where this U.S. team is.

It's not like, I don't see this as a tactical breakdown type of game.

I think there are plenty of tactics at play,

yes. But the type of opponent, which essentially becomes a sparring partner that you're able to

test yourself against, you can put players out there. That's what I took away. I think there's still a lot

of questions with the U.S. team. Honestly, Taylor, I still look at this team even when they're full

strength. And I'm like,, I still look at this team even when they're full strength.

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