We're on to the Knockouts

We're on to the Knockouts

Both the United States and Mexico are 2-0 and have already advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. Mexico has clinched Group A and will play its first knockout match in Mexico City. The USMNT, as of this recording, still doesn’t know what it will need to do against Türkiye - or if it will need to do anything at all - to win Group D. A Paraguay win or draw against Türkiye on Friday night would guarantee the Stars and Stripes a first-place finish. But enough about the scenarios. Moments after the United States’ win over Australia, ESPN Mexico City’s Eric Gomez joined the podcast to discuss the first two teams to go 2-0 and punch their tickets to the knockout stage. We talked about Christian Pulisic’s injury, Mauricio Pochettino’s adjustments, and the questions that still remain after two matches. The game against the Socceroos looked much different than the opener against Paraguay, but a win is a win — and the U.S. has started a World Cup with two victories for the first time since 1930. We then turned to El Tri’s victory over South Korea and debated whether Luis Romo’s lone goal was a bigger highlight than Raúl Rangel’s crucial save. Mexico has secured home matches once the knockout stage begins, and Eric explains what that means not only for Mexico City, but for the entire country. We also talked about the incredible scenes in Chula Vista [https://x.com/sandiegofc/status/2068065504263332307?s=20] on Thursday night and how Mexican fans flooded the streets of CDMX. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com [https://dsmithshow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Dog That Caught The Car

(This is the audio-only version of Monday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-section-1904-podcast/id1878517518] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6qK7rBdrzbifPjLMSSlqya?si=cc4982d3d50f4937] and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode, click here [https://www.youtube.com/live/9WKs6p-s0zg?si=L92O_bPJJT2oBy_X]) “The Knicks are NBA Champions.” That’s a sentence I’ve never typed before. Is this real life? On Monday’s podcast, we talked about my very last-minute decision to fly to San Antonio for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Flights, hotel and (gulp) tickets all secured within 24 hours of tipoff. As sports fans know, you’re taking a financial risk to attend games like this but, as I explain, the real risk was in not going and missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And if things hadn’t worked out with the basketball game, we could have visited Ethan Salas. Speaking of baseball…. The Padres were also in action this past weekend, taking two-of-three from the Orioles. Since neither Marty nor I prioritized watching the Friars, we skipped over the details and talked more about the El Paso influence on the current 26-man roster, Stammen turning to openers and the latest rumor tossed around by baseball insider Jon Heyman. We were also joined by ESPN’s Eric Gomez in Mexico City for some World Cup talk. First, we recapped Mexico’s 2-0 convincing win over South Africa and explained why El Tri coach Javier Aguirre wanted more from the opening match. We also talked about the emotions from Raul Jimenez’s goal and why that was such a meaningful moment at The Azteca. Then it was time to recap the United States Men’s National Team win over Paraguay and explain why we thought the 4-1 scoreline was more commentary about the USMNT being excellent than La Albirroja being terrible. Opening match analysis can be tricky but what the U.S. showed felt like a statement win. Back on Tuesday with a new podcast here and also a new Friar Territory. Also - sincere thanks to everyone who sent a message via social media or directly to me. I haven’t had a chance to reply to everyone with the quick travel but appreciated everyone who took the time to send a note about the Knicks win. To paraphrase Peter Seidler, the basketball gods shined on that team and now they get to have a parade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com [https://dsmithshow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

World Cup Preview: USMNT

(You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-section-1904-podcast/id1878517518] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6qK7rBdrzbifPjLMSSlqya?si=cc4982d3d50f4937] and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here [https://youtube.com/@martytimetv?si=Ndk4McyAdqO_Xbk0]) We are now hours away from the start of the World Cup. The ironically-named “United Bid” will oversee an unprecedented 48 team tournament played over 39 days. Opening Ceremonies are Thursday in Mexico City and the Final will be July 19th in New Jersey. Getting to the starting block of this World Cup has been a bumpy ride. From the FIFA Peace Prize nonsense to non-stop ticketing issues to international incidents, hydration breaks and unnecessary confusion over water bottles, it hasn’t inspired. For a good recap on all the things that have plagued the run up, I’d recommend this piece from Miguel Delaney of The Independent. [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-2026-trump-infantino-iran-somalia-b2992923.html] I don’t have the energy to create 100 different hyperlinks for this post. However, in this podcast, we focus exclusively on the United States Men’s National Team and Group D. The USMNT will open with Paraguay on Friday, face Australia on June 19th and close with Türkiye on June 25th. An interesting draw. Backheeled.Com [https://www.backheeled.com]’s Joe Lowery is our guest. Joe and the team have done tremendous work [https://www.backheeled.com/how-to-sound-smart-about-usmnt-during-world-cup-pochettino-roster/] covering the stories that matter most to USMNT fans. We talked about the roster, style of play and what to expect from the opponents in Group D. Which positions do we think are deepest and which positions cause concern? Who has the most to gain and what could an actual home field advantage mean in this tournament? And how do we each define “success” for this host nation? All that and much more in today’s conversation. Joe will also be in Los Angeles for the opener and is co-hosting an event on Thursday night [https://bsky.app/profile/totalsoccershow.bsky.social/post/3mnuwqw6iyk2a]. If you are in the area, stop by and support some of our independent media colleagues. If you’re looking for something local, come hang out with San Diego FC and Fox 5 in Mission Beach [https://www.sandiegofc.com/club/fifa-world-cup] for every game of the World Cup. We will be at Fit Social on the Pacific Ocean every day of the tournament. Special guests, music, giveaways - it’ll be a party. San Diego knows how to get down for the World Cup. See you there. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com [https://dsmithshow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

"WCCBBV Whatever It Is..."

(This is the audio-only version of Monday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-section-1904-podcast/id1878517518] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6qK7rBdrzbifPjLMSSlqya?si=cc4982d3d50f4937] and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode, click here [https://www.youtube.com/live/BbANMth7aRo?si=MMk2CyldBksOr9jk]) The Padres dropped two-of-three to the New York Mets over the weekend. Aside from Freddy Fermin’s surprising power, it was a tough watch. Pitching, hitting, base running…Ramon Laureano is out for the season. You get the point. Will it turn around as Craig Stammen consistently suggests? We talked about that. We also talked about Manny Machado’s memorable media availability on Friday. Turns out, Manny isn't a huge fan of analytics [https://youtube.com/shorts/RKlSVv5KS-Q?si=9MLzArLw-2jP26jd]. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone but his commentary did lead us down a few pathways. What stats are on the Petco Park scoreboard and which ones can we live without? Should Manny be more receptive to modern data to see if something could help his current form [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml]? Was this a veiled shot at the Padres R&D / coaching staff? It was probably just Manny being Manny. We also talked the NBA Finals shifting to Madison Square Garden and Donald Trump’s expected appearance at Game 3, which has created a huge headache for fans and everyone else in Midtown Manhattan. [https://x.com/Phil_Lewis_/status/2064033878613053704?s=20] Things are moving quickly and we have updated information about World Cup watch parties, so please subscribe here or on MartyTimeTV to get the latest audio and video content emailed directly when it drops. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com [https://dsmithshow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Castellanos Out

(This is the audio-only version of Wednesday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-section-1904-podcast/id1878517518] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6qK7rBdrzbifPjLMSSlqya?si=cc4982d3d50f4937] and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode, click here [https://www.youtube.com/live/798Txtz_poI?si=1NMzKgLZ5CtoFp9I]) The Padres have lost six of their past seven games but the news on Wednesday was about a roster change. The Padres announced that OF Nick Castellanos had been designated for assignment. Castellanos was a gamble worth taking for AJ Preller. It didn’t work out. It happens. There’s lots of ways to parse through statistics but a player with a -.09 BRWAR and a slash line of 191/221/339 shouldn’t have job security, unless you’re financially anchored to the player. Of the SIX position players posting a negative WAR, he was the worst and most expendable. So now what? On Wednesday’s podcast, we talked about the handful of positive moments Castellanos provided on and off the field and how he might have stuck around longer if the Padres weren’t bottom of the barrel in almost every major offensive category. Fare thee well, Nick. The Padres called up an infielder, Samad Taylor, to replace Castellanos on the roster. Will it matter? Is it fair to rip Jase Bowen for the qualities of his ABs on Tuesday? Eight more years of Manny!? We also talked about the level of anxiety for the lifelong and emotionally scarred Knicks fan on this podcast and what travel plans, if any, are being made to catch a game of this series in-person. Talking baseball - even Padres baseball - was a healthy break from scrolling through Knicks edits on social media. That said, you should definitely watch this [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZGgcXVR7SB/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==]. Let’s Go Knicks ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com [https://dsmithshow.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]