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The SBI Show: Episode 61 (Talking Agudelo’s Stoke deal; the U.S. Open Cup semifinals; and more)

AgudeloHead (ISIPhotos.com)

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

Juan Agudelo has long been considered a young prospect destined to play in Europe’s top flight, and now that destiny is closer to becoming reality after signing a pre-contract with Stoke City to join the English Premier League side in January.

On the latest episode of The SBI Show, we break down Agudelo’s move to Stoke City, and what it could mean for the young striker. In Episode 61, we also take a closer look at the process that could see him leave the New England Revolution early in the event of a summer transfer to Stoke.

Co-host Garrett Cleverly and I also discuss the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, which kick off tonight at Rio Tinto Stadium and Totoya Park. We break down both match-ups, including the highly-anticipated Real Salt Lake-Portland Timbers clash.

Give Episode 61 of The SBI Show a listen after the jump:

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What did you think of the show? Agree with our take on Agudelo? Think going to Stoke City is a mistake? Who do you see winning tonight’s U.S. Open Cup semifinals?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Agudelo should go! Dempsey is great. Ives, I love your view. Please keep bringing it! BTW, I want Ives as my third DP…

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  2. The only problem with writing down all the rules is that Goldman Sachs will figure out how to end the world for us using the rulebook 😉

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  3. Ives, your statement that MLS has never had a Center Back as a DP is perplexing…I know he was a complete flop in MLS, but Rafa Marquez was a DP Center Back for RBNY.

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    • There is a reason I said “pure centerback.” When Marquez arrived he arrived as someone who could play either in central midfield or central defense, and when he first arrived the belief was he’d be in midfield.

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  4. Yes. I will tune into more MLS games now that Dempsey is here. I already watch a lot of the marquee games anyway. But I used to DVR Dempsey games in the EPL so will do the same now that he’s in the states.

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  5. Ives/Garrett, can you guys please get a guest to give some insight on Mark Hughes? With him in control of so much young American talent, I think we’d all be interested in some insight regarding him especially in regard to how he develops young players. Thanks.

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    • Hughes was a very fine forward and that should be useful with Agudelo who plays basically the same position.

      When you look at guys who manage in the EPL other than SAF, Wenger and Moyes I can’t think of too many managers who are good at developing young players the way Verbeek developed Jozy. Way too much pressure to succeed or avoid relegation in the EPL.

      I thought he worked well with Clint who would be the guy to ask.

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  6. I don’t think it was a mistake to go to Stoke, because he is going to have to pick up all the aspects of his game. He has all the talent, but he coasts on it in MLS. He won’t be able to do that in the EPL. It will be interested to see if he can adjust.

    Reply

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