Who are the world's smartest soccer clubs? | Listener Questions

Ryan Bailey (0:21)

Welcome to the Total Soccer Show and the glorious return of Listener Questions. On today's episode, we're asking which soccer teams are smart, how well great club coaches adapt to national team gigs, the least cool Premier League teams, and so much more. Strap in everybody, my name's Ryan Bailey. Joining me today, the Taylor Rockwell, the original ones here. Hi, Taylor, how are you?

Taylor Rockwell (0:45)

I'm doing well, Ryan Bailey. I hope I'm the original one. There might be other ones. I feel like there's probably been other Taylor Rockwells before, but I appreciate that I'm at least the original for you in your beautiful backdrop, Miami Villa.

Ryan Bailey (0:57)

Thank you very much. Yes, as noted on yesterday's show, I'm in Miami for a conference. And if you're watching on the YouTubes behind me, I have the deluxe view of the NU Stadium. Still haven't looked up what NU is. I don't care to, but it's very nice to take a look at it.

Graham Rutherford (1:10)

I thought we just said it was new metal. If you look closely enough, you can see the gold statue of Fred Durst that you were talking about yesterday.

Ryan Bailey (1:15)

So a lot of the stadium is under construction and there is a bit out the front which has got tarps on it. I assume Durst is tarped right now because I haven't seen him.

Taylor Rockwell (1:23)

But he's precious cargo. You can't just unveil that. There's going to be crowds. It's going to be a whole thing.

Ryan Bailey (1:29)

That's it. Yeah, yeah. He did it all for the inter Miami, etc.

Excellent.

Taylor Rockwell (1:36)

How are you?

Graham Rutherford (1:37)

I'm good, Ryan Bailey. I'm a little bit jealous that you're at new stadium. It looks like an excellent stadium. I've read a lot about the building site around it. Also the cage that they're keeping, the sacks, the fired Lino Messi managers, the managers that Milano Messi has fallen out of. I believe that's part of the building site as well. So, a Patreon? Are they on that specific cage?

Ryan Bailey (1:57)

Oh, Graham, wouldn't you like to know that's in the works? Wouldn't you like to know that?

I can give you a full preview. I'm in a hotel literally directly opposite, as you can see from my view, but it's a very long walk away because there's a sort of canally thing between here and the stadium. And it's very hot here.

Graham Rutherford (2:14)

A canal? How very European. I thought you were going to say like a 10-lane freeway or something.

Ryan Bailey (2:20)

It does have a freeway running next to it for the record.

Graham Rutherford (2:21)

Fast food avenue.

Ryan Bailey (2:22)

Yeah. And on the opposite side of this hotel is the airport. So it's a lovely little spot they've got here. One of the nicest areas of Miami, I would suggest. Joe Lowry, hello. How are you?

Joseph Lowery (2:33)

I'm great. I don't know, man. That canal feels like when life gives you lemons, make lemonade situation. It's a hot day. You got to get to the new stadium.

Cool off in the canal, man. On the way, it's going to save you time. It's going to feel better. It's a conversation starter for when you actually get in there. Honestly, it feels like just a home run all the way around.

Ryan Bailey (2:49)

Yeah. You're right. Path of least resistance to the stadium is directly through canal. Should probably do that. I think so.

Joseph Lowery (2:54)

It's worth a try. And we know you got that swimming background. You're going to nail it. Yeah.

Ryan Bailey (2:58)

I'm sure the EPA haven't flagged anything that's in that water. I'm sure it's not flying.

Graham Rutherford (3:01)

I'm sure jumping into a canal in South Florida, there'll be no issues there for you at all.

Joseph Lowery (3:06)

If the crocodiles can live in there, anybody can, right? I mean, come on, guys.

Ryan Bailey (3:11)

Crocodiles are saltwater, Joe. Come on. Come on now.

Joseph Lowery (3:14)

50-50. Hey, sometimes shooters got to shoot, man.

Taylor Rockwell (3:17)

I went up, I shot.

Joseph Lowery (3:18)

You're not going to make a shot you don't take. That's all I'm saying.

Graham Rutherford (3:21)

You didn't think you were going to get one over Aquarium Boy, did you?

Ryan Bailey (3:23)

Yeah, come on now.

Joseph Lowery (3:24)

No, I didn't know if that extended to reptilian facts, though. And I guess yes is the answer.

Ryan Bailey (3:28)

Now you know, now you know. One more boring thing about the hotel I'm at. I picked this hotel because there was supposed to be a direct pedestrian bridge across to the stadium, which will get you there in minutes. They only bring it out for match days. Some kind of floating bridge. It's not there.