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In this episode of The Technical Area, Andrea Lombardo and Luca Forno are joined by Alecko Eskandarian — former MLS Cup Champion 🏆, MLS Cup MVP ⭐, and current Vice President of Player Relations & Development at Major League Soccer ⚽.

Alecko shares his journey from growing up in a legendary soccer household — his father, Andranik Eskandarian, played alongside Pelé and Beckenbauer at the New York Cosmos 🇺🇸 — to making his own mark as a #1 draft pick and key figure in D.C. United’s 2004 MLS Cup run.

We talk:

• Playing alongside legends like David Beckham 🌟
• The emotional toll of career-ending injuries 🧠
• His transition from player to exec 👔
• Youth development, academy culture & keeping the game fun ⚽🎒
• How MLS is supporting the next generation on and off the pitch 🔄📈

This one’s for the players, coaches, dreamers & die-hards.
🎙️ Tune in, subscribe, and send us your questions for Extra Time Banter!

#FantasyPoolies #TheTechnicalArea #AleckoEskandarian #MLS #MLSHistory #YouthDevelopment #SoccerLeadership #USSoccer #CPLTalk #FootballPodcast

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This week on the Fantasy Poolies Footy Show, we break down the chaotic carnage of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
From Inter’s tactical clinic 🇮🇹 to Barça’s meltdown 🇪🇸, we dive into:

⚖️ VAR madness (yes, again)
🧠 Inter’s masterclass in grit and game management
🌟 The Lamine Yamal era is here
🎮 Coaching decisions that had us yelling at the screen
🧪 Fixture congestion, squad depth, and final predictions for PSG vs Inter
💭 And as always... a little banter with your footy fam

Hit play, argue with us, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hot take.
🚀 #HalfVolleyHotTakes #FantasyPoolies

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter
00:17 Champions League Semi-Finals Overview
03:07 Inter vs. Barcelona: A Dramatic Clash
06:11 Injury Management and Player Resilience
09:20 VAR Controversies and Referee Decisions
12:06 Analyzing Key Moments and Fouls
17:10 Analyzing the Match Dynamics
18:01 Inter's Tactical Mastery
25:15 Individual Brilliance and Team Spirit
31:58 Coaching Decisions Under Scrutiny
37:06 The Beauty of Football and VAR's Impact
43:36 Semi-Final Reflections
49:27 Key Players and Tactical Insights
55:51 The Impact of Injuries on Performance
57:26 Final Predictions and Expectations

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In this episode of The Technical Area, we’re joined by Rocco Placentino — former Canadian international and current Sporting Director at CS Saint-Laurent — for a powerful conversation on the real journey to becoming a professional in Canada.

Rocco shares:

• His personal path from Quebec to the pros
• The stories behind Ismael Kone and Moise Bombito
• Why mentality, sacrifice, and work ethic are non-negotiables
• The legacy of the late Jason Di Tullio and what he meant to Montreal soccer
• The rise of unsanctioned academies, the role of parents, and what needs to change in Canadian development
• The crucial influence of the Saputo family in shaping Quebec’s soccer culture

This one’s for the dreamers, the grinders, and anyone trying to navigate the system.
🎙️ Hosted by Andrea Lombardo

#FantasyPoolies #TheTechnicalArea #RoccoPlacentino #CanadianSoccer #CSStLaurent #QuebecSoccer #JasonDiTullio #YouthDevelopment #CPL #CanadaSoccer #FootyTalk #SoccerCulture