Player Transition

France legend Thierry Henry offered help to Antoine Griezmann as he prepares for his next chapter in Major League Soccer with Orlando City. Antoine Griezmann will bring his time at Atletico Madrid to an end this summer and will try his luck in Major League Soccer with Orlando City. Months ahead of that move, France legend Thierry Henry offered his help as the forward looks to adapt to soccer in the United States. In the moments following the match against Barcelona — in which Los Colchoneros secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League semifinals — Griezmann gave an interview to CBS Sports, where Henry works as an analyst. That led to a rare on-air exchange between the two French icons. “Antoine, Antoine, I have something to tell you: thank you for everything you have done for French soccer, the national team, and the game in general. You have given me a lot. I wish you all the best,” Henry began, recognizing the career Griezmann has put together. But the 1998 World Cup champion did not only praise the 35-year-old forward for his past, he also turned his attention to the challenges ahead. “I hope you finish your time at Atletico Madrid well, and good luck in Orlando,” Thierry added. “I know MLS very well — anything you need regarding your time there, I’ll be happy to help.” Thierry Henry played for New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014. Henry made his mark in MLS The current state of MLS — with an increasing number of high-profile, world-renowned players — was built on the gradual arrival of stars over the past decades. One of the first major names to move to the United States was Thierry Henry, who joined New York Red Bulls in 2010. At the time, the French forward was 33 years old and arrived directly from Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, giving the New York side a marquee addition. Henry spent five seasons there (with a brief loan spell at Arsenal in between), making 135 appearances, scoring 52 goals, and winning one Supporters’ Shield trophy along with two Eastern Conference titles. Griezmann still has major challenges before MLS move While Orlando City and MLS are surely already on Antoine Griezmann’s mind, he still has significant challenges ahead with Atletico Madrid that could provide a perfect ending to his time at the club. This Saturday, Atletico Madrid will play the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad, aiming to win a title that has eluded the side since 2013. And as if that were not enough, the Champions League also awaits: Los Colchoneros will face Arsenal in the semifinals.

Ansan's new faces have brought a mix of international flair and optimism to Ansan following the club's dismal 2025 campaign. It has been a mixed start so far for the Greeners with a first opening win for over half a decade, but poor home form has continued. Nevertheless, Lee Moon-sik's attacking style has brought with it a lot of optimism for the season ahead. So, how have two of those new faces settled to life so far in the K League? Tim Hartzell Hartzell arrives in Ansan off the back of winning the Superettan (Swedish second division) title with Västerås SK. Making 20 appearances, the towering the centre back also showed his goal threat by pitching in some match winning assists as his side clinched the title by a single point. Joining Ansan off the back of such a poor season last year, Hartzell reflects that he saw the results but there have been a lot of changes. In fact it was discussions with coach Choi Moon-sik that set the tone for that was to be expected, with a focussed and exciting plan for the season. Indeed the whole mood around the Wa Stadium seems different this season, with Tim stating there is "a very good mood in the team." Of course arriving in a new country is always a challenge, in particular as Hartzell's career has been spent in Scandinavia. However, the support has been great, especially from Felipe de Paula who works as the team translator at Ansan. Felipe himself has K League 2 experience, scoring 5 times in a stint at Goyang Zaicro in 2017. Tim also notes the role of his agents, as well as the wider Ansan staff in ensuring that the transition to Korea was a smooth one. In addition, Hartzell could also call upon friends in the league itself. Of note, he played with Bucheon midfielder Kazuki Takahashi at Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna. Kazuki assured Tim that he would have a good experience in Korea, offering positive advice with it being “a very good league.” This is echoed by other players and Tim’s own experiences with the K2 so far, noting that it is different from playing in Sweden and Denmark but it is “a high-quality league.” One of the big differences with Scandinavia is the Korean summer, and Hartzell notes that he has heard a lot about it, but he is prepared and even looking forward to it! Of course, the challenge for Ansan in the K2 is a difficult one and Tim reflects pragmatically that the goal is to: “Stay humble and keep working hard.” [READ: Kazuki Takahashi on the 2025 Play-off promotion chase] Tim Hartzell clears the lines against Busan I'Park Machop Chol Born in Khartoum but raised in the US, Machop has played at Wake Forest academy, as did former Greener Burno Lapa, and was picked up for Atlanta United, scoring in the MLS against Toronto and New England. His football journey has also taken him to Lithuania with Zalgiris, and he has been called up 4 times by the South Sudanese team. Machop managed his first goal in front of the home fans against Busan, reflecting that it “It felt good.” Indeed, the humble and pragmatic approach espoused by Hartzell is reflected in Machop who analysed his performance: “[I] Had some opportunities I wish I could have capitalised on but overall, a good feeling, but I just wish we’d have got a result today." His target for the season is to just focus on "helping the team and getting positive results." Following defeat to Busan Machop noted that of course the team is down but “there’s many points to be happy about we played well in certain moments and also got some things that we can learn from as well.” Can Ansan push on this season? Machop thinks so, the team does not like to lose and “there’s a lot of hunger in this group.” [READ: Bruno Lapa on the K League 2] Machop Chol celebrates his first goal for Ansan with the home fans

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to the Houston Dynamo’s public apology after Lionel Messi was absent from their game. Should MLS try to market the sport outside of Messi to fans? Christian and Alexis then chat with for 2010 World Cup USMNT midfielder, Ricardo Clark, about his transition from MLS star to MLS NEXT head coach. Later, Christian and Alexis bring back Rápido Reactions and react to Manchester United’s struggles & La Liga’s tight title race.

Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge are here with a state of play after the final international break before the World Cup. We wonder if Germany might prove entertaining rather than efficient come Qatar and whether the problems plaguing France have knocked them off their prime perch. There’s also time for a Barcelona injury update and a question even devoted fans are starting to ask: do Portugal need to move on from Cristiano Ronaldo? Got a question? Tweet us @FootballRamble and email us here: [email protected]. Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive live events, ad-free Rambles, full video episodes and loads more: patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sounders are officially out of the MLS Is Back Tournament, but Winging It With Zak And Brad is back and ready to recap all the action in Orlando. Today's guest is none other than OL Reign's own Sofia Huerta, who discusses the many transitions in her pro career, from playing for different NWSL squads to her switch from Mexico to the US Women's national team. Brad and Steve close the pod with a few final thoughts on the tourney, and look ahead to what the potential remainder of the season c...