Episode 16: NYCFC Stadium Update / MLS Seminfinals Preview ft. Francisco Moya (Queens Councilman)

(rock music) What's going on everybody? Welcome to the Soccer View Podcast, episode 16. Thank you so much for tuning in. My name is Ronnie and I'm doing here with my co-host Vaz. Before we get started with the show, let me just give a quick shout out to our soccer viewers, show sponsor, that KDIA 86, an amazing Mexican soccer themed restaurant that located on 94th and Broadway here in Manhattan. Go check them out for some amazing tacos, burritos, drinks, tequila, miscal, all that good stuff, and go get them a follow at KDIA 86 and Y on Instagram. Now that that's out the way, Vazka, to Beyond with you, man, episode 16. Thanks, giving is here. Hope all is well, man. How was your weekend? How's everything with you? Crazy weekend. We had a few World Cup qualifiers, nations league, all the good soccer action throughout the football globe. But not bad. We have a great guest and stored for our listeners on the blue side of the Hudson in particular. And I'm really looking forward to expanding on him as soon as we get ready. And of course, I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving to everyone just ahead of time. But yeah, not doing too bad. Episode 16, Mr. Ronnie, we're great. Yeah, appreciate that, Vazka. And yeah, for the soccer fans, for the MLS fans, we got a big guest coming up for you guys today. Special guest joining the virtual studio. He represents the 21st Council District, which encompasses East Helmhurst, Jackson Heights, Lefrax City, and of course, his native Corona Queens. We had him back on with us in February. We talked about the NYCFC Stadium. At this point, he's a Friday the show. Let's please give a warm welcome to Councilman Francisco. Moe, yeah. Welcome and Councilman. Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, Vazka, having me. Councilman, first things first. Thank you so much for taking the time. We know you're a busy man. This for me and Vaz, how are you? How's 2023 been treating you so far? And now we're wrapping up with the year. And how's everything been with you? And just some of the biggest challenges you've been facing this year just on your district? Well, look, 2023 has brought a lot of ups and downs. But one of the highlights that will always be at the top of the list is how we keep moving forward into officially realizing the dream that we've all had of getting a soccer stadium in Queens. We've been going through this process. And we're now starting the ULLA process at this moment, just in the last month alone. Getting one step closer to having that been realized. But I think for me, the things that matter the most is really going out there, doing the job that the people have elected me to do, address the issues that we're facing here in not just my district in Corona, but just throughout New York City. We're seeing some changes here, a lot of quality of light issues, housing prices that we're facing here as well. To me, that's the main thing in which I have to focus on the day-to-day job that we have here, to ensure that the people of the community feel that their voices are being heard. But again, it all comes down to one thing. And it comes down to how do we solve these problems? The stadium will help solve a big problem that the city is facing right now, which is a housing crisis. We're going to be building 2,500 units of affordable housing. We're already in the first phase of getting started on putting a shovel to the ground to begin the first 1,100 units of affordable housing, quite possibly in the month of December that's coming up, which is very exciting for us, because that is something that the city really needs at this time. And that's why this project makes perfect sense. We're not just building a stadium. We're building a whole new neighborhood that's going to be able to bring some critical resources to the community in the very moment that it needs it. Yeah, absolutely, Councilman. Thank you so much for that update. And one thing I wanted to start off with asking you is I know this past week, there was kind of like a town hall meeting just to kind of give an update along with NYCFC Board and everything, just somewhere, everything stands. I wanted to ask you, has everything kind of been going according to timing and phasing as you expected? And with that, there's been talks about a shopping center, also just more parking space, a public school. What kind of details can you give us aside from the stadium, just more on those kind of units? Yeah, look, I think for us, this is a very transformative project. We're truly building a brand new neighborhood. It's the first time in 40 years that the city of New York is actually doing a project of this magnitude. That wouldn't be possible without having the right partners to this. This is a great example of how private and public come together to really form a great economic engine for Queens, but also to help solve a lot of the issues that we're facing here in the city of New York. NYCFC came in here and they were ready to go. They are building the stadium 100% privately financed. It's not costing the taxpayers any money. If you see all the other sports franchises that have come in here and either redone their stadiums or build new stadiums, they've always had public assistance that came in to help them finance these projects. NYCFC said, no, we're going to take that cross end and they're also building the stadium 100% union labor. First of it's kind. And what we're seeing there, it's going to be more than 14,000 jobs. People are going to be working here. It's going to help put food on the table. It's going to help feed their families. And to me, that is exactly what projects like this mean. We're putting people to work. We're housing people. And we're going to build a future economic engine. roughly around 34 to 36 million a year in revenues that come here. We want to make sure that this project is one that the surrounding community benefits from. And this is why this project makes just, you know, perfect sense on how this is being executed. Yeah, Councilman. No, thank you so much for all that insight. And I wanted to ask you a little bit on some news that came out this week on the stadium, but also the sustainability portion of that. And we read on NYCFC's website and articles about solar panels and the stadium water harvesting under the pitch. And for it to be a zero waste stadium. And I know in your administration, you've been pretty open and vocal about helping to clean up queens. And you do a lot of community projects on that. Why was it so important to you? And what can you tell us on just those little details on on that stadium portion? Look, it was called the Valley of Ashes, right? And what are we going to do there? We're going to make it the most environmentally friendly stadium, something very historic. It's the first electric stadium in the country. You know, when you look at the beautiful renderings that you all have seen of the stadium and what they're going to be able to do. It is just a testament to the commitment from New York City football club on not only hearing the issues that that I had of that area, it was a dumping ground. We're cleaning it up. It's an example of what we can do to help, you know, better not just the community, but also the planet. We know that this area has also been very prone to floods throughout. That's why they're building it in a way that is not going to prevent flooding from continuing to happen in that area. It's so important where, you know, the ideas that were talked about have now been put on paper and now are moving forward because they listen to the community, they listen to what we've been saying. And we're building something very historic here. No one's ever done this in the entire, you know, country to have a stadium. It's the first electrical stadium here is pretty awesome to see and I'm just very excited that, you know, they kept to that word and that commitment to the environmentally friendly. Thank you for that. And, you know, we know you've been a big FC Barcelona fan and try to keep tabs of you on social media. A little bit, a little bit, a little bit rusty and rough here. Yeah. And, you know, we do keep tabs on you and what you post on social media. But one thing that caught my eye was that you recently did make a trip to Barcelona. I saw a picture with you with La Porta, you know, the president of Barcelona. And then recently I saw that some representatives came here to New York to visit the city and it seems like something's brewing. There might be a partnership there. Not taking into detail, but wanted to ask you what kind of partnership could something like, you know, with FC Barcelona bring to the world's borough of Queens and even New York City, because I think that would be really huge for to have development and youth, especially in our local parks and even in our academies. Well, look, you know, Ronnie, let me tell you, it is no secret that aside from the city of New York, my favorite city in the world is Barcelona. But, you know, I've been going to Barcelona for over 15 years. I've never missed a classic go. I think I missed it twice. I'm out of talk about this on the last show. For me, it's always like the thing that I have to do is catch the first game of the season. And then I came to the classic go. I went there, but then in October of this year, yeah, last month, I made some good friends over there with the mayor of the city of Barcelona and local council member from Barcelona as well. I know since last year when he came to New York, we met, we had a nice gathering. He met with the mayor Adams as well. We become very close, I've become very close to the club. They, they know I'm a member of the club for many years. They know I'm probably like the biggest supporter that they got in like North America, even not the world, but it's, it was one of sharing ideas that the city of Barcelona is also going through some transformation. I'm very similar to what's happening here in New York. We've been looking at ways in which we can collaborate with the council member who's a friend, his name is Daniela Sguede. He is the head of what's considered sports over there that he oversees that for the city of Barcelona. He came here because he wanted to see how things were working in New York with major sporting events, how the city host those events. He's one of them. He is a marathon runner and I am a big FC Barcelona fan. We had some great exchanges there, but it's good to see because what's happening here is also mirroring what's happening in Barcelona with the team that's building a brand new stadium. And while they're rebuilding that stadium, they're playing in a stadium in Manjulik, which is one by the city of Barcelona. It's interesting to see how those partnerships work. Just like what's happening here. They came to New York, met with the administration on different ways in which the two cities can partner. I just think it's a great opportunity. Many cities want to come to New York, figure out how they can build partnerships. We can also learn from Barcelona and their very environmentally friendly ways in which they're looking to do their modes of transportation. They're also looking at how to build more affordable housing in the city of Barcelona. So it just seemed that it was the right moment in which we came together. And what other place that brings the entire planet together, which is our level football. And my love of FC Barcelona has led to that. We have great discussions. We're going to continue to do that and we're going to continue to meet throughout the upcoming year as well. And hopefully we can see a great exchange between our two cities. That's some incredible stuff, Councilman, and I can imagine, you know, they're actually learning a thing about, you know, for something from us this time, as opposed to, you know, we're learning something from them. So it's cool to see that exchange in the world's burrow. Like we said, the biggest melting pot in the world. That's be serious now. And just something that I needed to ask on the back of when we had you on before, I think the biggest comment that I got was, oh, you never asked about traffic. I'm like traffic. I wasn't expecting to be asking anyone about traffic, but just with this construction going to be built. And some of the concerns of the locals and queens being that already being congested area. Are there plans to try to mitigate that effect that it may have during some of the rush hour periods of the day. And just if you could just expand on that a little bit. Yeah, look, you know, a lot of that will will with everything we do, the environmental impact studies to see, you know, what impacts that may have on the local community. The good thing is that most of the construction will be inside of Will it's point. It doesn't really affect the traffic right now. You'll see some of that happening right now. There's room closures there. There's not that much traffic that flows during the time that they're closing what's considered seaver way right now, like off of Roosevelt Avenue. There's there's not that much traffic that goes through there, but we always put out notices with enough time to alert people that there will be a road closure. But like I said, most of the structure that is getting built is inside of Will it's point, which won't affect the outer roadways while that construction is happening. But when it does, it will be for a very minimal time with very minimal impact on the local community. And that's amazing to hear like I don't really drive. I mainly a bus, you know, sort of public transportation, cordic guy, but that's amazing to hear for anyone who does I can imagine. And I had no idea that it was going to be so with so closed in the within Will it's points that's again amazing. And of course, Councilman, we know Queens is very rich in its soccer culture and we've often heard you talk about leaving a legacy whenever it comes your time to leave office and what's your vision for Queens and the city of New York for the upcoming years since we have the Copa, America and the World Cup coming to the United States and the upcoming years. But with us, you beat me to like where my closing was going to happen, but I'll I'll get to it now anyway. Look, I think you bring up like exactly what this means to the city of New York, right. We have three major soccer tournaments that are coming in back to back years. We hope that if everything goes as planned by the end of 2026, 2020 beginning of 2027, you know, we will have the stadium fully built. We will be building a fan base, an area that will be known as a destination for soccer, right. The beauty of this is that we're also building a hotel, right. That will be able to house that will be able to host people when we do events, but we also are building around there. Soccer pitches for the community. People will know the economics and the economic impact that football has anywhere in the world, right. Any host city that comes in here understands the volume of tourism, the folks that come and stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop in our stores, what that means to the revenue in it for the city of New York. But imagine having that right here in Queens where the money and the economic. stays here. It helps build our economic base of folks that are employed, our small businesses thrive. To me, that is the exact way in which we want to see these types of projects have direct impact on the people that live around there. And that is like the vision. And I got to thank Mayor Adams and his administration because they share the same vision as I do of what it's not just about, it's not just about soccer, but it's about the future. It's about the future in terms of the economics. It's about the future of housing. It's about the future of our kids that will be able to have access to the academies. And that's a really important part of what I've negotiated with NYCFC on how we have to have a pipeline for our local community or local kids to be able to get scholarships to go to the academies to be teaching soccer in our schools. That to me is very important because what we want to see is like what I've always said, the kid that's playing right now and you know Fleshing Meadows Corona Park, we want to see one of those kids be able to play for, you know, their local club. And NYCFC in the stadium, we want to make that dream a reality. And this is what we can do with the vision that we have put forward. And I think that we have just an excellent plan and an excellent horizon of what's to come. We really have now seen the popularity of soccer skyrocket. The arrival of Leo Messy to MLS, everyone's going crazy. I think I see more inter Miami jerseys now than ever before. You know, this team was in last place, you know, now a sudden, you know, everybody, you know, we should have done guys, we should have what season tickets and then sold them out. We would have been living large already because it is ridiculous, the amount of money that people are paying for those resale tickets. We've made a mistake guys, but it just shows, right? MLS is growing in the States. The enthusiasm for soccer is growing in the United States. I think 2026 is critical because it's going to show the world that we know how to host a world cup, that we know how to have people come here and enjoy the beautiful game, but also what it means to the future plans that we're doing here at Willough's Point. That's amazing, Councilman. And you beat me to it because that's something I wanted to ask you next on. I know from our previous interview with you, we did talk a little bit about Fleshy Meadows Park and we talked a little bit about some after-school programs, but just revisiting that subject on the growth of soccer coming up now more than ever, like we mentioned, we have three big tournaments coming up in our backyard. And on our show, we often do talk about academies, youth development. Do you have any kind of set plans or any more initiatives on how to build soccer in the upcoming three years before the World Cup in 2026? I love how in your previous toy drives and the pictures, I saw a couple soccer balls in there, so I know you're already doing as much as you can, but just for the fans that are listening, what are some resources just for your kids to not just be sitting at home and get out there and go to the park and get active and maybe even get it to soccer. Look, I think the great thing is the partnerships that I've built throughout like my career with soccer, right? We not only have NYCFC that is coming into my local schools this year, I've partnered with the City. There's a program that is called Saturday Night Lights and it goes into Districts. They have an area where youth don't have access to after-school programs or they're at risk. And what we do is we go into one of our local schools Saturday Night. It's with NYCFC, we partner up with the City and all the partners that do this to have soccer games and tournaments that are run every Saturday night at our local one of my local schools here. They brings this program to help these at-risk youth, you know, stay off the streets, do something productive, be part of something really special here. But we've also worked with other partners as well, DV7 Academy that does great things with us and Hispanic Federation. DV7 Academy is the the Vibelia Soccer Academy that's here in New York. What we've done is we partnered up many years ago. We give out scholarships to a lot of the youth in my district here, but it's a program that's run throughout the Burrow of Queens where we have been taking a lot of the foster children and the migrant children to be part of a league that we form. They played twice a week. We put in about $150,000 through Hispanic Federation to partner up with DV7. It's free to the kids that are the fit that demographic there because we have a lot of migrant children here in the district now, which is the one thing I always say is that the universal language that we all speak is football, it's true. But you know, these kids are just here. They don't know anyone, but brings them together is the bonding of a team sport and a sport that they all love and understand. We even had when I emery come to one of the sessions to give you know some coaching techniques. It's really important that we're establishing this throughout the city. We're also working with NYCFC, the Mayor's Fund and Parks Department to do a number of pitches throughout the Burrow of Queens because we know that there's a lack of space here and we want to make sure that we are building as many pitches as possible throughout the community so that people have a place to play. But formalizing a lot of these programs that they give access to what we know has been the biggest detriment to the children, especially children from the district that I represent. Their parents don't have the fluency to spend $7,000 on a travel team, put them in a you know, an academy that's going to you know help them elevate their skills at a higher level. You know, the United States is the only country in the world where you're paying that kind of money to send your kids to an academy. Other places throughout the world, it's usually free or it's a minimal cost right? We don't have that here and I think the beauty of what I say about this partnership is the NYCFC understands that and they were very very clear with me that they wanted to make sure that we were going to give access to our kids to get into programs that they can run throughout the Burrow of Queens to ensure that they have access to the right training to the right coaches that can help in youth development which is so critical for our youth here in this community. Councilman, yeah, absolutely and you were closing out soon but Councilman one one question we've been meaning to ask and we've asked a few other guests this but you know, New York being one of the biggest markets in the world similar to LA you know and LAFC has Vella LA Galaxy Hatchee Charipe. I know he's no longer there but I feel like New York City needs a superstar and hopefully you know when the timing is right maybe after the stadium is complete. I don't want to jump the gun and just signing anybody but you know do you feel like you know this stadium could definitely lure some top talent you know especially in MLS and I'm bummed that NYCFC missed the playoffs this season but I think when the timing is right I think you know there could be a lot of momentum with the stadium and I just want to ask you if you felt that same way. No I do I mean look having been able to build a strong relationship with the club for many years now there's a huge commitment to win right and there's a huge commitment to see that this club stands for the values of what you know City Football a group really is all about. I think they are building a great young crop of soccer players. Listen we definitely needed a striker this season I mean you know it was really clear that that's something that we needed to have happen you know I'm very optimistic that some positive changes on the pitch are going to happen in the next season or two but you'll have me back and then I can give you the exclusive of what I know or else Ronnie you've got to get me in trouble right now so you know I can only say that the the the future is always looking bright with this with this football club that we have here. Councilman just just wrapping up with you you know looking to 2024 what comes after Euler what's next in regard to getting the process moving and do you anticipate any obstacles just before we close out on what the fans can expect for 2024 and moving forward to that. Yeah look you know we have the we're going to close out in December with the first part of this Euler process which is the community boards vote on whether they they support this project or not we are very hopeful that they do we've had a wonderful conversation very positive feedback it goes there then the process will begin in like the month of either December or January the beginning of the year or president will have a review process it's about 30 days it take a look at it then it goes to city planning city planning has about 60 days I believe in which they review this process they have a hearing they'll have a vote a mayor then reviews that with the city council and then it comes into my house which is the city council where we go through our process of a hearing and then we vote on that and once those processes begin you know we're talking about a year you know from now possibly that if everything goes according to plan. We will We will have a vote. It's ready to go. And we will then move on to the building phase of the stadium. - That's amazing here, Councilman. Yeah, we'll be staying to it for that. And we want to say thank you so much for your time. And we don't talk to you. Happy Thanksgiving, happy holidays. And do you have a Twitter? Do you have an Instagram? We're talking the fans. It's kind of interact with you on any questions. - Absolutely. - Yeah, thank you so much for your time. And we'll definitely talk to you next year. - You got it, yeah. And listen, thank you, Ronnie. Thank you for having me. It's always great to be on your podcast here. And all I follow you guys, you're always doing great stuff. To me, it's easy. You know, it's Francisco Moia and Y on Instagram. Francisco Moia and Y on Twitter and Facebook as well. It's CM Francisco Moia. And that's it. Well, all accounts as well. So we got two Francisco Moia and Y. And then a CM Francisco Moia on Twitter and Instagram as well. Happy Thanksgiving, guys. Please have me back. I'd love to start talking to you guys as we begin next year. And the phases start to come up. We really need the fans support. December 4th is really a critical day. So for all you NYCFC fans who want to see this happen, we really need you to come out to Community Board 7. December 4th at 7 p.m. Come out here because we really need the good folks of Community Board 7 to hear how much you want to see the stadium happen. All right, guys. Well, that was the interview with Francisco Moia. Councilman, thank you so much for taking the time. Always appreciate your chats and we'll be keeping an eye on those key dates. Boss, what you think of Councilman Francisco Moia? And yeah, man, we got some big games coming up. Let's forget it out of here. But let's get some predictions in first. First and foremost, thank you to Councilman Moia for having the time to speak with us. Thank you to the listeners for putting up with my congested voice. I'm a little under the weather. But yeah, Ronnie, we got a few big games this upcoming weekend to put it lightly. We got the Eastern Conference Games on Saturday and the Western on Sunday. Yeah, man, absolutely. We got some big matchups. We got Orlando City versus Columbus Cincinnati Philly, which I think is my to watch game this upcoming weekend. Houston Dynamo versus Sporting KC. And Seattle Sounders or LAFC, man, the last 18 standing. It's going to be, I think these games are going to go down to the wire. I don't expect any blowouts or anything. Yeah, boss, let me see, man, for the Orlando Columbus game, I'm actually going to talk and think on Orlando City, man, I think Oscar Paréha-- I don't know how he does it. But every year, he's just so consistent. And sometimes he just goes under the radar. We may not talk about Orlando much during the season. But you can just expect that with Coach Oscar, he's going to get to that finish line and just make that playoff. And then after that, anything can happen. So I will say Columbus was hot in their game versus Lenny United. But I'm going to say Orlando City got the job done, especially because they're at home. I think they've been in good form. And I totally expect maybe a 2-1 result against Columbus Crew. Sancy Philadelphia, man, that's a tough matchup. And I always try to go for the ups that maybe with Philly. But Sancy had been in top form. And this game could either go Philadelphia Union 2-1 or Cincinnati 1-0. But I'm going to go towards the home side, just because TQL Stadium is a tough place to get a result, man. With Philadelphia Union, Missing Kai Wagner, this upcoming game, I think that's going to be a key piece that will definitely cause Philadelphia Union. But it's going to be a tough game, and so I can't result too much there. Houston Dynamo versus Sporting KC, man, I'm going to go with Houston. They've been the hot team since the US Open Cup Final. I'm going with 1-0 there. I think Sporting KC are going to give it their all. But Houston Dynamo have been able to find the back of that net. So I'm going to go with a 1-0 result there. And Seattle Sounders versus LFC, man. I'm going to Seattle. I don't see LFC coming out of that, to be honest. And yes, I know they're the rainy champs. But Seattle Sounders, man, I think they're going to go all in on this match. And I'm going to say 2-0 on that result. Ronnie, I have to agree with a few of those, especially with our land on Columbus one. And just to build off what you say with Oscar Parreja, the man always seems to get it done when it matters most. The US Open Cup last year is just a testament to the kind of work that he does during Cup competitions. And what's more surprising is that he doesn't have-- he's on the last year of his contract. Then they have it announced an extension. So that's an interesting piece, because it might be, but it has last game. But I can totally see after the Atlanta Columbus that last game between the two, how uncomfortable Atlanta made Columbus by trying to just take the game to them. Because Nancy has one way of play. He's going to try to build out the back and play pretty. But EHA has just been known to adapt. Very pragmatic with his approach, but he tends to deliver. So then being at home, I got to give a 2-0 to Orlando. They had some troubles at home in the beginning of the year, but they seem to turn it all around. And they have a very good form going into this matchup. And like you said, that since an Addy versus Philly game is the one that I am going to be having my eyes on for the entirety of Saturday. I'm just be looking forward to that one. We've already talked about it a bunch. The two relationships with team that had coaches, their GMs, their backgrounds. But I think you highlighted the missing piece of Kai Wagner being incredibly important for Philly. And they also are without Jacob Glussness, who had a surgery. And he's out for the rest of these playoffs. So two key pieces for the Unity and Spacline are going to be missing. But since Sinadi is going to be without Matt Miyaz as well, a Walbadoo is a question mark. And I know their forward had some issues with Gabon originally. So I don't know if he's going to be part of the lineup. I know he's still-- I'm not sure if he's still traveling back to Sinadi. But interesting few missing faces for these two teams. But I can see Philly, Delphi, causing the upset. Moving forward to the West, though. Houston versus Sporningcans, the Cityman. I feel like I'm in 2013 all over again. But it's hard to bet against this Houston team, bro. They've done well to make me look like a bit of a-- I don't want to say-- I don't know anything about the team. But they've surely made me eat my words. I thought that Houston is going to be towards the bottom of the West. And Ben Olsen was probably going to get the boot at some point. But credit to them. How does team in MLS right now? And I think they have the best home record going into these playoffs. Outside of maybe Cincinnati, but don't quote me on that, gentlemen. I'm just going to forward to the two tactical geniuses. Peter Vermeys, who just had a birthday, I believe yesterday. A new jersey is very young. And of course, Ben Olsen, another guy who's well known in those parts with his time in DC. So I'm looking forward to that matchup. But I can see Houston just getting the job done. Because of the kind of format they're in. With a 1-0 win, hektaharer scores the goal. And the show case of Major League Soccer will be on Sunday night. The two-- I've called them the glory clubs of MLS, Seattle and LA. But man, with how LA finished off their season, with their record in cup competitions and in finals in particular, I don't see them getting passed the Seattle and Brian Schmetzger's men. I think they have a great bounce back here. And I can see them just putting on a great display. It was a tie last time that they both met at Seattle's home. But come crunch time. You see the best of the sounders. And we've seen LAFC when it comes to the big moments, just falter. I mean, they won MLS Cup in the final seconds. They didn't exactly dominate the game to be like, we are the example setters of how good we are, of how good a Major League Soccer team could be. But still a great team, great matchup. But Seattle comes on top. And Vos just before we close out, man, I'm just think it's an error in my head. If sporting KC get the job done against Houston and Peter Vermease gets sporting KC to the Western Conference finals, what are we saying about the man man? He has to be right there behind Bruce Arena. Because this team was a team that was bottom of the West at a certain point during the season. We were talking about Vermease possibly being out. And I remember we talked about it with Callum Williams about his message getting a little stale throughout the season. But if he gets his job done against Houston Dynamo, what are we saying about Peter Vermease, man? Look, I'm getting chills. But no, he's already made us eat crow because, man, I thought his time was done. I thought that with all the injuries, the way that he built this team. And just sometimes it seems like luck isn't a factor in things. But he had a load of injuries last year, especially with his big players like an Alan Polito who won come back player of the year this year. So you can see, I guess that form, that poor form that Sporning Kansas City was on, excuse me, may have been due to not a stale message, but the health of the roster. And if he does manage to win this game, man credit to him, because he is, I believe, on the Mount Rushmore of Emma Las head coach is alongside Bruce Arena, alongside Abab Bradley. Just due to the amount of time that he spent in KC, it's crazy to think that he's been there for what a decade. And again, I believe this might be a set that he is the longest, or second longest tenured head coach in the entire world. It's crazy that you would have never expected that kind of stat with an American head coach in Emma Las. So, nah, man, I gotta just give him his flowers because he seems to have turned them all around. - Yeah, appreciate that, Vasey. I think that Houston Sporting KC match is gonna be one to watch. It may be, you know, it might not be highlight, you know, Vella or Top Seattle, but I think that's it. It's a game too, watch 'cause either way, it's gonna be a storyline either way. So now Vaz, thank you so much for all that insight and for the fans, thank you guys for all your support. We hope you enjoyed the interview with Councilman Moia. We'll be watching this weekend for MLS Cup playoffs. Give us a follow at soccer view radio on Instagram, soccer view radio on Twitter. And we'll see you guys next week with some results and looking forward to the Eastern and Western Conference finals. So I'll talk to you guys soon, everyone, take care and have a good one. (upbeat music)