April 16, 2025 • 9 mins
Nick Bukaty will call FC Cincinnati's match versus Chicago on Saturday night for Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. He joined us Wednesday afternoon on ESPN1530.
Podcasts of The Mo Egger Radio Show are a service of Longnecks Sports Grill.
Listen to the show live weekday afternoons 3:00 - 6:00 on ESPN1530.
Listen Live: ESPN1530.com/listen
Get more: https://linktr.ee/MoEgger
Follow on X: @MoEgger
Instagram too: @MoEgger
Podcasts of The Mo Egger Radio Show are a service of Longnecks Sports Grill.
Listen to the show live weekday afternoons 3:00 - 6:00 on ESPN1530.
Listen Live: ESPN1530.com/listen
Get more: https://linktr.ee/MoEgger
Follow on X: @MoEgger
Instagram too: @MoEgger
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Orange and Blue on the road on a Saturday,
second consecutive road game, but looking for a fourth consecutive
win on the road, this time against Chicago. That game
will be at eight thirty. You could watch it on
Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. And a part of that
broadcast crew is Nate Buchati, who joined US joined US
(00:21):
last year from Los Angeles, and we were talking through
what his first ever visit to Skyline was going to
look like, and I hope it went well. But he's
with us now to talk soccer.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How you doing, Nate, Mo, It's great to talk to you,
and it did go incredibly well. I enjoyed myself quite
thoroughly and made a return trip. I got to go
to Cincinnati a few times last year and one of
my favorite places to go to in the league.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I have to say it very good, very good. Well,
Well that said, I wish they were home this week.
They're not back on the road in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I think. I think if you're an.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
FC Cincinnati fan, you have to be pretty pleased with
what they with where they are, given all the stuff
they've had to deal with, you know, the tumultuous preseason,
players not showing up for training, the Luchawa Costa situation,
all the injuries, players playing for their national teams, Lolesey
Weather travel with the Conka CAF Champions Cup, and yet
there they are with sixteen points in eight MLS matches.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Oh man, you just summed it up perfectly. This is
gonna be my first time getting a chance to call
an FC Cincinnati game this year, And as I started
doing my prep this week, it really did become clearer
to me. I mean, I knew they were off to
a decent start, but all of this stuff that you
just listed off, and you know, the injuries that they've
been dealing with, and honestly, not probably I know that
(01:38):
Pat Newton's even said this not playing what he thinks
is their best soccer. Yet they've won three in a row.
They're in third place. You know, they're right there within
you know, in state rival Columbus crew striking distance, and
you feel like there's a lot more meat on the bones. So, man,
(01:58):
the state of Ohio has been rocking when it comes
to Major League soccer the last few years, and it
doesn't look like this is going to be any different.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So there's everything we just talked about. Yet I do
think there's a sense of they can't keep playing this
way and continued to win, and so, yes, they've got
to get healthier. They've also got to get more going offensively.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
How do they do that, Well, it'd be nice to
get everybody back healthy, right, I mean, obviously that's an
easy answer. But when you've you know, gone out and
replaced your dynamic MVP caliber number ten with another dynamic
MVP caliber number ten and he's not available to play,
that's going to make things difficult. One of the things
(02:37):
that I'm going to be really interested to see and
excited to see though, is where the progression comes now
from dot Valenzuela. You know, getting that first goal last week,
and I know he's a player with so much promise.
You never want to put too much pressure on a
twenty year old. But at the same time, I just
got done watching Champions League games and you see eighteen
(03:00):
to twenty two year olds all over Europe right now
on the biggest stages, playing in big moments, and I
think Volenzuela showed that he's ready for the moment. I
know he's been dealing with his own frustrations and injuries
and finally getting a chance to get out there. Maybe
he could be a big answer to helping Cincinnati, you know,
develop their attack. But you know, I hate to keep
(03:21):
bringing up your in state rivals Columbus, but I would
honestly say the same thing about them. I've had a
chance to do three of their games this year, and
they're not clicking completely in the attack. But much like
FC Cincinnati defensively, they're doing enough to keep themselves from
getting beaten. And honestly, step number one in Major League
Soccer to put yourself in contention in the playoffs is
(03:44):
make yourself hard to beat. And FC Cincinnati certainly have
shown here of late that they can do that. And
if you can do that, and you know, work and
work and work until you get all of your attacking
players back and fit, I think that's a pretty good recipe.
I mean the thing about the league, as you know,
I mean, obviously you want to win the supporter Show,
but more importantly you're trying to win MLS Cup. You
(04:05):
want to be rounding into form at the end of
the season. This part of the season is just about
keeping yourself in the picture for one of those top
four spots in the playoffs. In my opinion, and obviously,
so far, so good for FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah, I feel like they've they've been able to and
you mentioned Dotto, They've tapped into depth that I feel
like is gonna pay dividends down the road. I've asked
a lot of your colleagues about the East because last
year was different, right, It felt like the big three Miami, Columbus,
and FC Cincinnati and none of them even got to
the Eastern Conference semifinal. And this year, in the regular season,
(04:36):
that side of the table does feel like it's a
lot more wide open.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
How do you handicap the East? Man, I couldn't agree
with you more. I thought the East was a gauntlet
last year and only more so this year. Inter Miami
look a little bit more vulnerable this year to me
than they did a year ago, even though I know,
you know, their record is still very good. When I
look at these other scot I mean, Charlotte is a
(05:03):
very legitimate side. Last year they were very good defensively,
but didn't have enough in the attack. They went out
and they added in the attack. They look really good.
The Philadelphia Union, I'm not sure if they can keep
it up or not. And of course they traded away
Daniel Gosdog, but they're off to a good start down
the table. I still think Orlando City when their hole,
will be one of the most dangerous teams in all
of Major League Soccer. They've got an incredible wealth of
(05:26):
depth in the attack. In Oscar Pereja's type of teams
always end up being good enough defensively and in the midfield,
in my opinion, to be a threat, and they usually
peek at the end of the season, and right now
they're in seventh place. The team that you guys are
taking on this weekend, the Chicago Fire, I think are
a really good team. I think Greg Burhalter's actually got there.
(05:48):
I think they're gonna make the playoffs for the first
time and since twenty nineteen, I believe it, as I
have to go back and look at my notes, but
I believe that's the number. It's been a long long
time since Chicago have really been relevant. But they added
this Mobamba, who's a really dynamic attacking presence on the
left wing. Hugo Kuiper's is actually scoring goals this year
(06:08):
because he's getting help and support, and there's just been
a structure brought to the team from Greg burhol So.
They played Miami to a scoreless draw this last time out.
I think they're going to be a factor. And we
didn't even mention the team that won the East last
year in terms of getting to MLS Cup in the
New York Red Bulls. So this race is going to
be fascinating in the Eastern Conference. And I think that
(06:31):
the top nine teams are all really good and can
beat you on a given day. And you know this
as well as anybody. I mean, when I came to
do one of your games last year, I hate to
bring up that bad memory, but it was you know,
it was a I believe a loss if I remember
correctly to the New England Revolution, who were at the
bottom of the table. And in this league, if you're
(06:52):
missing a couple of guys and the other team you're
playing is healthy and firing on all cylinders, even if
you're at the top of the table and there at
the bottom, you can lose. So it's gonna be a
race that's unpredictable going down the stretch. But for me,
I think the Columbus crew with the trade that they made,
would be at the top of the table. That's where
they stand right now. So it's easy to say that,
but Wilfrid Nazi's just done such an incredible job with
(07:14):
that team. But I put your I put Cincinnati right there.
I put Charlotte right there. Obviously you have to put
Miami right there. And then after that, I think there's
a second tier with teams like Orlando's City, Philadelphia and
Chicago that are just as good and good enough if
they get hot in the playoffs to make it to
MLS Cup.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Well, we're a better city than Columbus, So just keep
that in mind when you go there again.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Okay, you know what, I have enjoyed my time in
both cities. I know that's not what you want to hear.
I went to the German Village for the first time
after Columbus last round. It was actually very very pleasantly
surprised at how cool that was. But I think I've
told you this before. Cincinnati is a kick ass town.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Man.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I'm from Kansas City, and it reminds me a lot.
I know it's a bad it's a bad word for
you guys, but I actually made all of my listeners
in Kansas City mad because I was I was telling
my producer that I made him really mad because I
was telling him that actually, Cincinnati reminds me a lot
of Kansas City, and he was like, possibly remind you
of Kansas City. And I gave him a bunch of
(08:17):
reasons and he tried to shoot them all down. But
I stand by it. I would agree.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
I'm coming to Kansas City in late August for the
Cincinnati Nebraska football game, which is a UC home game
at Arrowhead Stadium. For some reason, the only thing I
don't like is there's nothing to do near Arrowhead Stadium.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
You have the tailgame, that's true. Now, the tailgating is awesome,
the best yes on the entire planet. But here, just
just come to my house. I'll have a barbie. I'll
have you over for some barbecue. I'll smoke some ribs
for you, and then you'll you'll love Kansas City. That's
what I was aiming for, was the in home in fight.
There you go all night, well, enjoy Saturday night.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
And I can't thank you enough for doing this, and
hopefully you get another of c Cincinnati game this year
and we can do it again.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Thank you. Hey, listen, I think it's gonna be a
great games, so I hope you can tune in. You
got it. There you go, Nate, thanks so much, you
got it. Thanks for having me again. You got it.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Saturday Night, Nate Boucheti has the call FC Cincinnati versus Chicago.
That game starts at eight thirty Apple TV MLS Season
Pass and of course you could listen to it on
ESPN fifteen thirty
The Orange and Blue on the road on a Saturday,
second consecutive road game, but looking for a fourth consecutive
win on the road, this time against Chicago. That game
will be at eight thirty. You could watch it on
Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. And a part of that
broadcast crew is Nate Buchati, who joined US joined US
(00:21):
last year from Los Angeles, and we were talking through
what his first ever visit to Skyline was going to
look like, and I hope it went well. But he's
with us now to talk soccer.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How you doing, Nate, Mo, It's great to talk to you,
and it did go incredibly well. I enjoyed myself quite
thoroughly and made a return trip. I got to go
to Cincinnati a few times last year and one of
my favorite places to go to in the league.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I have to say it very good, very good. Well,
Well that said, I wish they were home this week.
They're not back on the road in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I think. I think if you're an.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
FC Cincinnati fan, you have to be pretty pleased with
what they with where they are, given all the stuff
they've had to deal with, you know, the tumultuous preseason,
players not showing up for training, the Luchawa Costa situation,
all the injuries, players playing for their national teams, Lolesey
Weather travel with the Conka CAF Champions Cup, and yet
there they are with sixteen points in eight MLS matches.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Oh man, you just summed it up perfectly. This is
gonna be my first time getting a chance to call
an FC Cincinnati game this year, And as I started
doing my prep this week, it really did become clearer
to me. I mean, I knew they were off to
a decent start, but all of this stuff that you
just listed off, and you know, the injuries that they've
been dealing with, and honestly, not probably I know that
(01:38):
Pat Newton's even said this not playing what he thinks
is their best soccer. Yet they've won three in a row.
They're in third place. You know, they're right there within
you know, in state rival Columbus crew striking distance, and
you feel like there's a lot more meat on the bones. So, man,
(01:58):
the state of Ohio has been rocking when it comes
to Major League soccer the last few years, and it
doesn't look like this is going to be any different.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So there's everything we just talked about. Yet I do
think there's a sense of they can't keep playing this
way and continued to win, and so, yes, they've got
to get healthier. They've also got to get more going offensively.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
How do they do that, Well, it'd be nice to
get everybody back healthy, right, I mean, obviously that's an
easy answer. But when you've you know, gone out and
replaced your dynamic MVP caliber number ten with another dynamic
MVP caliber number ten and he's not available to play,
that's going to make things difficult. One of the things
(02:37):
that I'm going to be really interested to see and
excited to see though, is where the progression comes now
from dot Valenzuela. You know, getting that first goal last week,
and I know he's a player with so much promise.
You never want to put too much pressure on a
twenty year old. But at the same time, I just
got done watching Champions League games and you see eighteen
(03:00):
to twenty two year olds all over Europe right now
on the biggest stages, playing in big moments, and I
think Volenzuela showed that he's ready for the moment. I
know he's been dealing with his own frustrations and injuries
and finally getting a chance to get out there. Maybe
he could be a big answer to helping Cincinnati, you know,
develop their attack. But you know, I hate to keep
(03:21):
bringing up your in state rivals Columbus, but I would
honestly say the same thing about them. I've had a
chance to do three of their games this year, and
they're not clicking completely in the attack. But much like
FC Cincinnati defensively, they're doing enough to keep themselves from
getting beaten. And honestly, step number one in Major League
Soccer to put yourself in contention in the playoffs is
(03:44):
make yourself hard to beat. And FC Cincinnati certainly have
shown here of late that they can do that. And
if you can do that, and you know, work and
work and work until you get all of your attacking
players back and fit, I think that's a pretty good recipe.
I mean the thing about the league, as you know,
I mean, obviously you want to win the supporter Show,
but more importantly you're trying to win MLS Cup. You
(04:05):
want to be rounding into form at the end of
the season. This part of the season is just about
keeping yourself in the picture for one of those top
four spots in the playoffs. In my opinion, and obviously,
so far, so good for FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah, I feel like they've they've been able to and
you mentioned Dotto, They've tapped into depth that I feel
like is gonna pay dividends down the road. I've asked
a lot of your colleagues about the East because last
year was different, right, It felt like the big three Miami, Columbus,
and FC Cincinnati and none of them even got to
the Eastern Conference semifinal. And this year, in the regular season,
(04:36):
that side of the table does feel like it's a
lot more wide open.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
How do you handicap the East? Man, I couldn't agree
with you more. I thought the East was a gauntlet
last year and only more so this year. Inter Miami
look a little bit more vulnerable this year to me
than they did a year ago, even though I know,
you know, their record is still very good. When I
look at these other scot I mean, Charlotte is a
(05:03):
very legitimate side. Last year they were very good defensively,
but didn't have enough in the attack. They went out
and they added in the attack. They look really good.
The Philadelphia Union, I'm not sure if they can keep
it up or not. And of course they traded away
Daniel Gosdog, but they're off to a good start down
the table. I still think Orlando City when their hole,
will be one of the most dangerous teams in all
of Major League Soccer. They've got an incredible wealth of
(05:26):
depth in the attack. In Oscar Pereja's type of teams
always end up being good enough defensively and in the midfield,
in my opinion, to be a threat, and they usually
peek at the end of the season, and right now
they're in seventh place. The team that you guys are
taking on this weekend, the Chicago Fire, I think are
a really good team. I think Greg Burhalter's actually got there.
(05:48):
I think they're gonna make the playoffs for the first
time and since twenty nineteen, I believe it, as I
have to go back and look at my notes, but
I believe that's the number. It's been a long long
time since Chicago have really been relevant. But they added
this Mobamba, who's a really dynamic attacking presence on the
left wing. Hugo Kuiper's is actually scoring goals this year
(06:08):
because he's getting help and support, and there's just been
a structure brought to the team from Greg burhol So.
They played Miami to a scoreless draw this last time out.
I think they're going to be a factor. And we
didn't even mention the team that won the East last
year in terms of getting to MLS Cup in the
New York Red Bulls. So this race is going to
be fascinating in the Eastern Conference. And I think that
(06:31):
the top nine teams are all really good and can
beat you on a given day. And you know this
as well as anybody. I mean, when I came to
do one of your games last year, I hate to
bring up that bad memory, but it was you know,
it was a I believe a loss if I remember
correctly to the New England Revolution, who were at the
bottom of the table. And in this league, if you're
(06:52):
missing a couple of guys and the other team you're
playing is healthy and firing on all cylinders, even if
you're at the top of the table and there at
the bottom, you can lose. So it's gonna be a
race that's unpredictable going down the stretch. But for me,
I think the Columbus crew with the trade that they made,
would be at the top of the table. That's where
they stand right now. So it's easy to say that,
but Wilfrid Nazi's just done such an incredible job with
(07:14):
that team. But I put your I put Cincinnati right there.
I put Charlotte right there. Obviously you have to put
Miami right there. And then after that, I think there's
a second tier with teams like Orlando's City, Philadelphia and
Chicago that are just as good and good enough if
they get hot in the playoffs to make it to
MLS Cup.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Well, we're a better city than Columbus, So just keep
that in mind when you go there again.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Okay, you know what, I have enjoyed my time in
both cities. I know that's not what you want to hear.
I went to the German Village for the first time
after Columbus last round. It was actually very very pleasantly
surprised at how cool that was. But I think I've
told you this before. Cincinnati is a kick ass town.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Man.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
I'm from Kansas City, and it reminds me a lot.
I know it's a bad it's a bad word for
you guys, but I actually made all of my listeners
in Kansas City mad because I was I was telling
my producer that I made him really mad because I
was telling him that actually, Cincinnati reminds me a lot
of Kansas City, and he was like, possibly remind you
of Kansas City. And I gave him a bunch of
(08:17):
reasons and he tried to shoot them all down. But
I stand by it. I would agree.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
I'm coming to Kansas City in late August for the
Cincinnati Nebraska football game, which is a UC home game
at Arrowhead Stadium. For some reason, the only thing I
don't like is there's nothing to do near Arrowhead Stadium.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
You have the tailgame, that's true. Now, the tailgating is awesome,
the best yes on the entire planet. But here, just
just come to my house. I'll have a barbie. I'll
have you over for some barbecue. I'll smoke some ribs
for you, and then you'll you'll love Kansas City. That's
what I was aiming for, was the in home in fight.
There you go all night, well, enjoy Saturday night.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
And I can't thank you enough for doing this, and
hopefully you get another of c Cincinnati game this year
and we can do it again.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Thank you. Hey, listen, I think it's gonna be a
great games, so I hope you can tune in. You
got it. There you go, Nate, thanks so much, you
got it. Thanks for having me again. You got it.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Saturday Night, Nate Boucheti has the call FC Cincinnati versus Chicago.
That game starts at eight thirty Apple TV MLS Season
Pass and of course you could listen to it on
ESPN fifteen thirty
Mo Egger News
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com