VAMOS with Herc Gomez. Guest: Yunus Musah 08/01/24, Presented by Michelob ULTRA
Aug 1, 2024
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Herc Gomez chats with Yunus Musah, a dynamic midfielder for the USMNT and AC Milan, who shares insights into adapting to life in Europe at a young age. They dive into Musah's journey through various clubs, from Arsenal to Valencia, and finally competing at AC Milan. The discussion highlights the challenges of playing soccer in baseball stadiums and the tensions surrounding the Canadian Drone Scandal, shedding light on accountability within the sport. Musah expresses gratitude for his coaching influences while reflecting on the evolving landscape of US soccer.
Yunus Musah emphasizes the value of diverse football cultures, highlighting how experiences in England and Spain shaped his skills and understanding of the game.
The podcast discusses the Canadian Drone Scandal, revealing systemic issues in soccer governance and the importance of accountability within the sport following unauthorized tactics.
Deep dives
Eunice Musa's Journey and Development
Eunice Musa, a promising young midfielder for the US Men's National Team and AC Milan, reflects on his journey through various football cultures. He trained in England at Arsenal for seven years, which significantly improved his technical skills under quality coaches. Musa transitioned to Valencia to seek more playing opportunities earlier in his career and learned the importance of diverse footballing cultures. Returning to AC Milan has been a dream come true for him, allowing him to play at iconic venues like San Siro while forging strong connections with his teammates.
The Impact of Coach Greg Berhalter
Musa expresses gratitude towards Greg Berhalter for giving him the chance to represent the US Men's National Team and helping shape his international career. Reflecting on Berhalter's departure, he acknowledges the challenge of adjusting to a new coaching environment but feels positive about the team's potential going forward. Musa highlights the importance of understanding the tactical vision of his next coach, particularly in harnessing the talents of players who excel in combination play. He believes that maintaining a free style of play is crucial for the success of the national team moving forward.
The Canadian Drone Scandal
The podcast delves into the controversy surrounding the Canadian national soccer teams, focusing on a scandal involving unauthorized drone use during Olympic training. A non-accredited staff member was caught flying a drone over a practice session, leading to disciplinary actions and severe point deductions. This incident revealed a systemic issue within Canadian soccer, with allegations that drone spying practices were historically used to gain competitive advantages. Media coverage and investigations are ongoing, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the sport's governance in Canada.
The State of US Soccer
Amidst mixed performances from the US soccer teams, there are signs of hope as both the men's and women's national teams show promise in ongoing tournaments. While the US Women's National Team faced an underwhelming World Cup performance, the men's team has advanced to knockout rounds in the Olympics with a relatively new lineup. The growth of young American players and the success of the U20 men's team in guaranteeing a place in the World Cup highlight a bright future for US soccer. These developments indicate a potential turning point for the sport in the country, despite previous struggles.
Herc sat down with the talented Yunus Musah, a versatile player for the USMNT, while he's in the middle of AC Milan's preseason tour in the United States to talk about all things soccer, his experience living abroad at such a young age and his thoughts after competing in last Copa America this summer with the US.
Plus, TSN's journalist Rick Westhead takes us inside the Canadian Drone Scandal and its implications.