THE Soccer Dad-Pod

Special episode with one of the main architects of the proposed 2 season NCAA D1 Soccer schedule.

We cover the pros, the cons, and some other things most aren't considering as well.

#ncaa #soccer #Division1 #academic #studentathlete #ussoccer

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Back for a third go, the one and only Terry Michler. Joining us today are Tim Brunette and Tim Breitbach, the creative forces behind the making of:

"More than Wins, the Terry Michler Story"

With 52 years of sideline experience, a pile of wins that put him at the top nationally, and 5 decades of players, situations and stories, we talk about the direction of this documentary, some of the stories, and more.

#stlouis #movie #soccer #cbc #missouri #dutchtouch #legendary

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My favorite #USMNT players have turned out to be the ones that weren’t supposed to be there. Players that didn’t come from soccer towns and didn’t have the soccer connections. The grinders that turned out to be legendary… think #ClintDempsey

Today’s episode features another one of those players. From Green Bay, a place not known for its soccer roots, Jay Demerit busted every rule, every expectation, and proved everyone wrong… except himself. Starting on a pub league 9th division team in England, living in a friend's attic, in two short seasons he catapulted to Captaining Watford and man-marking Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

Check out Jay's new project RiseXShine for more info: https://www.risexshine.com/

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This is a new vibe for us! Steven Kratchman is an STL-born native who's been living in NYC for over 30 years and is an architect who is now focused on the relationship between Stadiums, Cities, their people, and the culture that comes along with that... or not (think Sporting KC & the parking lot)

Check out Steven on LinkedIn for more about this topic!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbkratchman/

#architecture #soccer #stadiums #cities #culture #mls #usl

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On the morning of their rematch against their playoff nemesis Billikens from 2025 NCAA tournament, head coach Jared Embick, Asst. Coach Mike Nanchoff, and Alum/GM Billy Zufall joined to talk all things Zips, recruiting, pro-pathway, rule changes, competition, GRIT, and more!

Like the show? Here's a link to buy us a beer, as we wouldn't dare ask for cash!!!

#akronzips #collegesoccer #ncaasoccer #nationalchampions #character #recruiting #pathway

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Ask around and most will have nothing but good things to say about Andre Luciano. This Vegas kid turned Hoosier is now using his lifetime's worth of skills and experience to help young players get to the next level: College.

As a rep at SRUSA Soccer Andre focuses on an approach that matches a player to the moment... the level... and ultimately the right team.

Don't forget to drop a review on your favorite player; it's free, and it helps us spread the word!!!

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Rich Nassif joined to talk about his experiences playing, coaching at the D1 level, and currently working at Sprocket Sports helping clubs manage, organize, and adapt to the modern game and ALLLLLL of it's (parents) expectations! Also, check out his podcast: "How I Built This Sports Club" for some inside baseball on youth club logistics and more!

Sprocket Sports

How I Built This Sports Club

#sportsclubs #youthsoccer #clubteams #soccerlifestyle

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From the burbs of Chicago, Jack Turachnik joined to talk about his journey through the Chicago Fire Academy, College Soccer, and now MLS Next Director at Central Illinois United, as well as the USL 2 Springfield FC Head Coach. From pathway to merging a region, to the current MLS development landscape and more... Let's Go!!!

#illinois #centralillinois #soccer #mlsnext #academysoccer #usl2

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After an incredible run last year, Coach Andrew Bordelon & Asst. Coach Gavin Kalish joined Jarod and I at Llewellyn's in Webster to talk all things Bears soccer. One of the most prestigious universities in the world, Wash U., not surprisingly, is a heavyweight in the game we all love, HQ'd right here in St. Louis.

From admissions to recruiting, to style, to what's next, we cover a lot!!!

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Michael Wiggins knows the game. As a player who grew up in the Chicago burbs, Michaels journey took him through HS, to Illinois State, a run pro with Chicago Power FC, and an immediate transition into coaching... from which he hasn't looked back! Here's an excerpt from his 5 Star Soccer bio:

"With over 20 years of soccer camp experience to match his 24 years and 339 wins as a varsity high school head coach, 5 Star Soccer Camp Director Michael Wiggins continues to lead soccer programming throughout the Chicagoland area with as much energy and excitement as he did back in 1994. In his second career position as a high school head coach, Wiggins has continued to see success with the Hinsdale Central boys soccer program. "

#soccer #highschoolsoccer #chicago #illinois #club #academy

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St. Louis has an abundance of quality soccer clubs. With one of the most iconic names/logos, the new iteration of St Louis Stars SC is making waves for sure. We chatted with the two in charge of steering the ship and turning this club into a top-level training/development club, a high-end competitor, and, more importantly, an integral part of the community.

Jim Thebeau & Matt Hulsey, live from FBAG in fenton!

https://stlstars.club/

Hosted by Jarod and JB!

#stlouis #stars #soccer #clubsoccer #development

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Pay to play. Everyone's favorite excuse as to why US soccer is failing. To be clear... It's expensive. And not only are underprivileged families incapable of engaging, but it's also a massive strain on families that "can."

But what are you paying for? How do you value the spend? What's your goal? What's the expectation at the end of the day? All of those questions are individually measured.

What isn't as clear, and certainly debatable, is whether or not pay-to-play has a direct correlation to everyone's negative analysis of US Soccer coming out of the World Cup. Don't forget... out of 211 countries in FIFA, we just finished in the top 16, ahead of countries like Germany and Italy, one disappointment, the other not even there.

If it were "free," ask yourself a few questions:

• who would pay?
• who would coach that isn't already (think current results)?
• how would you manage a population 58X larger than Norway, and they're pretty good?
• would free actually result in kids caring more when they're true idols are in the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB?

Lot's to unpack. Worthy of a part 2... Let's go!

#soccer #paytoplay #youthsoccer #usmnt #pathway #usysa #mls #usl

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St. Louis Scott Gallagher College Placement Director, Matt McCarty, joined Zach and I to talk about the clubs goal and process when it comes to getting players to the college ranks. BUT... he brought some friends. 3 Gallagher standouts, all at different phases of the process, and all on different teams, to talk about their recruiting successes, failures, expectations, and process.

Nathan Null '26 grad, committed to the University of San Francisco

Kadan Donigan '27 grad, uncommitted, #character

Javi Vigil '27 grad, uncommitted, #focused

Great conversation with insight straight from the horse's mouth... the kids actually doing the work. Enjoy. Share, and thanks for the support!!!

#collegesoccer #recruiting #ncaasoccer #focus #expectations

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Sam Fink returns, this time joined by his college teammate, ex-pro, current coach, and more... Chris Duvall. Teammates from their ACC day's at Wake Forest, we talk about their path, the current game, kids development, pro mindsets, "it" factors, Thierry (yes, that guy), and so much more!

LIKE REVIEW FOLLOW OR SHARE!!!

We'd appreciate it.

#soccer #accsoccer #ncaasoccer #nyredbulls #mlssoccer #friends

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He's back... the Badger himself, AJ Cochran. We went live from Llewellyn's pub in Webster and chatted up everything from the DiMaria dynasty to World Cup expectations!

#stlouis #sportsagent #soccer #worldcup2026

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One of the top-class humans in College soccer... who happened to be a Herman Trophy recipient, AND was the #5 pick overall in the '98 MLS College draft... which means he was really good.

Coach Johnny Torres, Creighton Men's HC, and Blue Jay alum himself, talks about the incredible path that brought him and his family to TX from Colombia, and resulted in a life in soccer at the highest level.

#ncaasoccer #creighton #academysoccer #johnnytorres #STLAjax

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Jason Carney is a return guest bringing some more insight, new updates, a state title, and a new book to the conversation!

Give him a follow on LinkedIn for a ton of great insight on coaching, development, character, and more! LinkedIn - Click Here

#portland #soccer #coaching #development #highschool #culture

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This Dublin native, who's now an STL loyalist, joined the crew at FBAG's for some pints & footy chat. Topics covered: recruiting, academies, pathway, Sam Sarver, MLS, EPL, and more!

Interested in that "NIKKY NIKKY YUM YUM"? Click here!

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As a club coach, high school coach, and JuCo coach... "JB" has seen a lot. As a fellow Granite City alum, we talked about his roots, his process, and some of the nuances of the current game when it comes to coaching, vs development, to recruiting, and more!

Be sure to check out PCDA for a possible Gap-Grad year solution for your player!

#lewisandclark #jucosoccer #highschoolsoccer #recruiting #academy #stlouis #justinbernaix #edwardsvilleillinois

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Recruiting specialist Andy Fleming joins to talk about Flex, the current recruiting landscape, and more. Be sure to give him a follow on Instagram at @andyflemingsoccer

#collegesoccer #mlsnext #academysoccer #recruiting #commitment #ncaasoccer

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