So I think this is kind of news and analysis because I think it's a great podcast and discusses a ton of analysis about the USMNT. But no podcast now for 3 weeks and today I noticed it was linking to "kicking it" with dempsey and davis and henry and Kate. Anyone know anything?
They are moving to the Golazo network -- so TV -- and it's just Charlie and Jimmy. They didn't want Heath, apparently, which is a bummer, because Charlie is just hot take city. I don't get the Golazo network. Who is watching that?
That is a bummer. Why no Heath? The vibe was made by the kind of semi-opposing tendencies of the 3 of them. The two of them, I just don't really see it.
Everyone gets Golazo network. It's free on streaming through CBS sports app. Or do you mean you don't get why it exists?
I've always been a Conrad fan, most of all. Just like his personality and temperament, but yeah, I thought Heath was a nice contrast to Conrad and Davies. Not surprising in some ways. Soccer Soup only lasted 2 years, I think it became the crack podcast, and it changed who was actually on it repeatedly. These things are typically short lived.
Heath is a regular color guy for AppleTV MLS Season Pass, so that's where he he gets his paycheck, I assume. I don't know if CBS didn't want him there because he's too reasonable or because he's under contract with a competitor and they want to brand strongly within Golazo. I could see either. From what I've seen of Golazo, it's much more hot take city. Like a mini-ESPN that hasn't gone full Steven A. Smith but heading in that direction. Heath doesn't fit there.
Usually it's one of three things: 1. Contractual issues 2. Preference for a 2 person arrangement to reduce issues that can come from 3 people talking over each other. 3. Personality conflict. I tend to think it's 1 and 2 since the sense I got was it was a fun thing they were doing at first and they actually like each other.
I watched the show a bit in the build-up to Qatar, and he seemed to be the most thoughtful of the three. The other two I found entertaining (up to a point), but my guess is that I am not within Golazo's targeted market.
I think he and Conrad are more, honest, I think Conrad's a bit more media personality'd in a way, because he's been doing for like a decade plus, but I was always fond of Conrad because he really is a bit heydudey as a personality. Davies is more slick, and Pearce is more straight and direct if that makes sense. Which is why I felt it worked. Each person kind of smoothed each other, Pearce and Davies getting Conrad to be a bit more serious, Pearce and Conrad getting Davies to be a bit more on point, and Davies and Conrad lightening up Pearce a bit. Without any of them, it suffers.
It's really a bummer. I like Charlie but it was Jimmie and Heath that made that podcast, as mentioned. After reading this I guess I somehow missed the announcement.
During my search I hit up reddit and they had a big thread about it. Like here, most there seemed to think Heath was pretty essential and balanced Jimmie well. Most also didn't care if Charlie was a part of the podcast or not. Kind of how I feel about it. I mean I like Charlie but Jimmie and Heath were the podcast.
I bet more than anything they wanted the "names" of Dempsey, Edu and Davies and of course Kate Abdo (who is great to look at and incredibly smart, if you've not read her bio it's quite impressive). However, for just gold ole footie/soccer talk I prefer Heath and Jimmie.
Dempsey with those two would be fun. He seems to fit in with any group though. Davies is the odd man out for me. He really doesn't add much to anything I see or listen to with him other than being mocked by others.
It's part of CBS/Paramount's soccer strategy which from the USMNT angle will rely heavily on Charlie Davies and his connections. We've seen this before. ESPN with Lalas and Fox with Twellman. Herculez Gomez on ESPN is also part of that trend.
If it doesn't involve Heath and it's not interactive, then it's not ISWT. Heath should just start another one. It might even be better, if Charlie's not involved. Jimmy would be missed, but maybe a suitable replacement could be found. Someone peppier than Heath.
Is Frankie Heyduk up for something like this? Also speaking of those missing what happened to the guy that did plus / minus after every US game? I loved those as they challenged what I thought and many times agreed with what I thought. probably too much work.