He's just trading it in for the digital equivalent.

It is an opportunity for MLS to engage with the new demographic, um, whether that be in the gamers, whether that be in the younger generation, or just, you know, just engaging with the space in a different way.

It can only benefit MLS, bring in new viewers from around the world globally, but also, um, you know, just grow the awareness of MLS soccer as well.

I asked him about his top memories as a pro in the career.

Winning MLS Cup, you know, it's, uh, it's something that many players don't get to do in their time, but lifting that trophy on the back end of a great season, we were, you know...

We beat the points record.

We won the Triple.

We won the Supporters' Shield.

How do you rate that game going?

It's going to be an interesting one.

I think people are kind of sleeping on Spain because they're not playing that aesthetically beautiful football that we're used to seeing Spain play, you know, but they are controlling games.

They are winning games, you know, and they look comfortable.

In Belgium, they were a team that grew into the tournament.

Of course, the last match against USA is probably their best match, but prior to that, they weren't looking like a cohesive team.

They looked like they lacked a little bit of team chemistry.

Is their streak about to run out against Switzerland? Or do they get past Switzerland and then maybe find it a little harder?

... and making that final third?

Yeah, I mean, quality comes from environments.

Quality comes from training.

Quality comes from, uh, development.

So if you wanna go right down to the root cause of lack of quality at the highest level, then of course we need more infrastructure.

We need me- more res- resources, more professional academies across our, like the CPL, the NSL.

Um, more intention to growth.

What's realistic? Like, uh, top end, if we continue to grow and develop as a soccer country, like, could Canada be a top 15 team in the world? Like, where do you think we could top out?

in that final third?

Yeah, I mean, quality comes from environments, quality comes from training, quality comes from, uh, development.

So if you wanna go right down to the root cause of lack of quality at the highest level, then of course we need more infrastructure.

We need me- more res- resources, more professional academies across our, like the CPL, the NSL, um, more intention to growth.

We need a residency.

You know, these type of things will help, you know, create more quality up the pipeline.

But, uh, for the current players now, it's, it's a moment thing, you know? It's the first time they've been in a round of 16.

What's realistic? Like, uh, top end, if we continue to grow and develop as a soccer country, like, could Canada be a top 15 team in the world? Like, w- where do you think we could top out?

Yeah.

Yeah, it's what you want from a World Cup.

You wanna see the stars perform.

You wanna see goals.

You wanna see big moments, and these guys are stepping up to the, to the plate and, uh-

I would say no.

Hey, guys.

I think coaching was a big key to today.

How do you think social media has, I guess, amplified the issue, changed the issue? What's different now, do you think?

Just access.

Back in my time when I was coming through my pathway and my journey, social media wasn't as big.

When I was in university, Facebook started.

Then Instagram slowly started to pick speed up.

But those outlets, those social media outlets have... you know, created easy access for people to have access to these players and also form their own perceptions of these players.

So in my time, I experienced racism in person a lot playing in Eastern Europe and some parts of Europe.

How does it affect you?

Like what are you seeing that's not working for them?

Yeah, well, I mean, if I'm going to be critical of anything in the game, the first thing I'm pointing out is set pieces.

So good awareness on spot in that they had nine corners throughout the game and you got to get something, you know, I wasn't happy with them going short on, I think seven out of nine of them, you know, and then conceding on the defensive and on a set piece as well.

So I know they hired a set piece coach.

I know it's his job to make sure that the boys are ready and can take advantage of those opportunities.

So for me, that was one of the biggest letdowns in the game, but, That being said, we still scored.

We still haven't seen the best side of Jonathan David.

Kyle Aaron start on Thursday or come off the bench.

Uh, if Bombito can't go, does that cinch it for what Ralph Priso? Will we have a Cap wearing the Canadian jersey at the World Cup?

Yeah, I think he's the, he's the direct replacement.

That's why he's there.

Um, you know, he was told prior to the tournament that if anyone goes down, he'd be the first man up in the back line.

So, you know, he, he's that guy f- to fill that position, but there's also Marcelo Flores's position.

He went down, uh, before the two friendlies, so that's a spot that needs to be filled as well.

You know, whether that is Jayden Nelson, who I have my fingers crossed for him, 'cause I know the work he's put in over the course of the year and since his return back to MLS, so...

I know, yeah.

I mean, he's just he really is everything that they thought he would be.

Yes, of course, and so much more.

I've played the game 15 years as a professional.

I've crossed paths with a lot of big players, but Thomas has been different.

Since the day he arrived, he came into Vancouver.

He did his research about not only the club, but the city, the community, the history.

He knew our past legends by name.

Is it a little hard to believe that the world's biggest event is coming to Canada, is coming to Vancouver? Yeah.