King Delivers

"This is the Tatis I Want"

(This is the audio-only version of Thursday’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/yWszIvacTGs?si=MwQqkVxtD2eWG-78]) Thursday was an off day for the Padres but there was still plenty to talk about. The Padres are coming off arguably their best series of the season after sweeping the Braves at Petco Park, punctuated by a surprisingly good start from JP Sears in the finale. MLB.com's AJ Cassavell joins Marty to break it all down. They discuss why it finally feels like Fernando Tatis Jr. is "back" and playing like the star player the Padres need, while also asking whether the starting rotation can hold up with myriad lingering questions. There are also injury updates on Jake Cronenworth, Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove - all discussed in this episode. 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]

"Y Si Si" & "Why Not Us?"

There have been some unprecedented moments of national pride for fans of the U.S. and Mexican national teams over the past two weeks. The co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are delivering exactly what their supporters hoped for: results. On Wednesday’s podcast, ESPN’s Eric Gomez and former USMNT & current Seattle Sounders winger Paul Arriola discuss the impressive group-stage performances from both the United States and Mexico as they head into the knockout rounds with wind at their backs from the two fanbases. The conversation begins with Mexico’s perfect run through Group A. El Tri won all three matches, finished atop the group, and did not concede a goal. We discussed how Javier Aguirre’s side has embraced the pressure of playing at home and why this may be one of Mexico’s most complete World Cup teams in years. We also talked about “the Mexican Pedri [https://x.com/TouchlineX/status/2069972296727449716?s=20]”, Gilberto Mora of Club Tijuana, and how much hype is too much hype for the 17-year old. On the other side of the age & experience spectrum is legendary GK Memo Ochoa. Eric talked about the emotions of watching Ochoa's [https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2069974020238315724?s=20]swansong for El Tri. Great stuff. On the U.S. side, Arriola offers a player’s perspective on Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, which secured first place in Group D with dominant wins over Paraguay and Australia before the final group match. Paul attended the match in Seattle and shared his experience of going as a fan and rooting on the USMNT - a team he represented 50 times. The discussion centers on the team’s growing confidence, the influence of key veterans, and whether this group is positioned to make the deepest World Cup run in a generation. We also talked about how important it’s been for the USMNT to feel the support of the fans, which has been a struggle for the team through the years. We talked about how U.S. Soccer can harness the excitement for future generations via success at the World Cup on and off the pitch. 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]

King Delivers

(This is the audio-only version of Tuesday’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/j6jnMQLkeeg?si=ZjNcQXJDbau6XAbN]) The Padres returned home from their 4-5 road trip to face the Braves & Dodgers, the best two teams in Major League Baseball [https://www.espn.com/mlb/standings]. You could hear local media twisting themselves into knots coming up with pithy headlines [https://youtu.be/48VPSB9V8-A?si=ie8bJkMC2f1mGgg8] to inflate the significance of the homestead. “Could the Padres make a statement against the league’s best?” “Would the Braves & Dodgers pummel the light-hitting Padres and turn the team into trade deadline sellers?” “IS THE SEASON ON THE BRINK???” With the hyperbolic state of affairs boiling over, Michael King was back to looking like Michael King [https://x.com/FriarHighlights/status/2069270922771714165?s=20] and Manny Machado hit his second game-winning HR in three games [https://x.com/espn/status/2069256533699907586?s=20]. The Padres offense only had four hits but it was enough to turn the game over to the Padres most consistent strength - the bullpen. Lead preserved. Game one won. On this podcast, we discussed the importance of getting King to return to early season form and Craig Stammen’s postgame comments [https://x.com/MartyCaswell/status/2069292235259085075?s=20] about Machado hitting the ball better and making an impact. We also talked about the United States Men’s National Team advancing in the World Cup and how they’ve started to turn casuals into believers. How will Mauricio Pochettino use his squad in a “dead rubber” match against Türkiye on Thursday? Is there any money left in the budget for me to catch a match in person after going to NBA Finals? (ICYMI: Eric Gomez and I talked about both the USMNT and Mexico advancing last week. Find that post here [https://open.substack.com/pub/dsmithshow/p/were-on-to-the-knockouts?r=1unijo&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web], watch it on YouTube here [https://youtu.be/8juUN2w-rqY?si=KPPF5qiwd7FbMTKP] or search for the Section 1904 Podcast in the links above) We also talked some House of the Dragon (mostly spoiler free). What we liked and didn’t like from Season 3, Episode 1. 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]

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]