Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

2d ago

Youth soccer focuses on development, but our systems still prioritize results. In this episode of Chasing the Game – Youth Soccer in America, we sit down with Morten Grahn, former director of the NYCFC Soccer Academy, to discuss a harsh truth in American youth soccer: elite environments are not designed to develop every player, yet early success is often mistaken for a sign of long-term potential. Morten uses a strong staircase analogy to explain why being higher in the system doesn't necessarily mean a player is better at progressing or more prepared for what’s next. We discuss how parents, coaches, and clubs often conflate rank within the system with proper development, and how that misunderstanding can influence decisions for years. We cover: • Why quietly winning can overshadow real development in youth soccer • How elite programs rely on structured plans rather than feelings • Why most players aren’t “rockets” — and why that’s normal • How challenge, struggle, and even not playing can be key to growth • What parents should really watch for in competitive environments This episode is for parents navigating academies, tryouts, and performance pressure, and for anyone questioning whether the current youth soccer model truly supports long-term growth. Chasing the Game aims to bring clarity and honesty to a system that often feels unclear. This conversation doesn’t give easy answers, but it helps families think in a better way. (00:00) - Intro – Why results still run youth soccer (02:45) - Winning vs development (06:30) - How elite systems really work (10:15) - Not everyone is built to be developed (14:40) - The staircase analogy explained (19:30) - Where players are vs how well they climb (24:10) - Why most players aren’t rockets (29:20) - Challenge struggle and not playing (34:15) - Frameworks over feelings (39:10) - Environment shapes outcomes (44:00) - What parents often misunderstand (49:20) - Rethinking opportunity and fairness (54:10) - Long term development vs short term success (58:30) - Rethinking how we evaluate players (01:02:10) - Advice for parents inside elite systems (01:05:40) - What development actually asks of families Click here to view the episode transcript.

Dec 10

The next chapter of American youth soccer is being built by a new generation. Not administrators. Not executives. Players. Young adults. People who lived the system from the inside and are now fixing the gaps they experienced firsthand. In this episode, we talk with Brando Babini and Billy Pavlou , founders of Youth4Youth FC and Next Level USA , two programs reshaping development through supplemental training , real match minutes , and near-peer mentorship . As parents inside the youth system, we see the pressure, confusion, and lack of clarity that families face. This conversation explains why the future depends on new leaders who understand both the player’s world and the parent’s world. We cover: • Why supplemental training exists and how to use it the right way • Why match minutes matter more than ever • Mistakes parents make without realizing • How mentorship fills the emotional gap in youth soccer • Differences between youth clubs such as NYCFC, Red Bulls, Met Oval, and Kickers • What exposure and recruiting actually look like today • Why the U.S. is primed for soccer innovation This is the next generation of U.S. youth soccer. It starts with people like Brando and Billy. (00:00) - Start (00:09) - Remote intro and audio joke (00:33) - Present and future of youth soccer, why these guests (00:46) - Introducing Billy Pavlou and Brando Babini (04:44) - Brando’s path through NYC academies and founding Youth4Youth FC (08:34) - Billy’s journey from Australia to New York and starting Next Level USA (14:28) - What supplemental training really means (19:56) - Club identities in NYC and how they shape players (27:21) - Who drives supplemental work, parents or players (29:25) - Relationships with MLS NEXT and top clubs, guest play rules (35:50) - Youth4Youth mentorship model and near-peer support (44:34) - Showcases, college recruiting and real exposure (48:50) - Burnout, pressure and where it actually comes from (53:39) - Social media, player profiles and the showcase effect (58:30) - Why the US is fertile ground for soccer startups (01:02:24) - Rapid fire: skills, clubs, parents and advice for 12-year-olds ‘View full transcript’

Dec 3

This week on Chasing the Game, we sit down with one of the most influential figures in American youth soccer: Noah Gins, Founder and CEO of Albion. We break down structure, culture, college pathways, measurable development, retention, and what true “success” really means inside a U.S. club system that too often rewards the wrong things. If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to understand why youth soccer feels chaotic and what a functioning system could look like. This episode brings clarity. Topics We Cover • How Noah built one of the most successful youth clubs in the country • Why U.S. development suffers from fragmentation and inconsistency • The four core pillars of success at Albion • Retention, culture, and long-term development • Why “beautiful soccer” and winning often conflict • College recruitment myths and real pathways • How clubs should define success vs. how parents define success • Albion’s long-term vision for U.S. youth soccer YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@chasingthegame-podcast Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2pNWkRKtCJ9DqN6dgGcbWN Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com Website – https://chasingthegame.us Instagram – https://instagram.com/chasingthegamepod TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@chasingthegamepod Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Intro: The Machine Behind U.S. Youth Soccer (00:39) - Noah Gins Joins the Conversation (02:56) - Noah’s Youth Career and Path to Pro Soccer (04:00) - Building Albion: Six Teams to National Recognition (08:47) - Expansion, Affiliates, and the Albion Model (13:02) - What Was Missing in Youth Soccer (17:10) - How Environment Shapes Playing Style (18:58) - Structure vs Freedom in Player Development (20:31) - The League Maze: MLS NEXT, ECNL, EA (22:34) - Could the U.S. Ever Unite Its Development System? (25:45) - Why the U.S. Needs Player Compensation (29:57) - Supplementary Training and the Secondary Market (32:51) - Technical Mastery: Juggling and Measurable Skills (35:05) - Multi Sport Athletes and Specialization (37:45) - Understanding the U.S. Player Pathway (39:36) - The Problem With Using the Word “Elite” (41:11) - High School Soccer vs Academy Soccer (44:14) - Parents, Communication, and Culture (46:26) - Global Influences: Brazil, Spain, and Beyond (51:53) - Social Media, Mentality, and Today’s Players (53:50) - Seeing Albion as a System: Local to National (54:20) - Defining Success and Albion’s Four Pillars (57:54) - Cracking the College Pathway and Scholarships (01:02:22) - Albion’s Long Term Vision and Role in U.S. Soccer

Nov 26

In this episode, Ben Olsen provides one of the most honest breakdowns of youth soccer development in the U.S., covering how kids handle pressure, the differences he observes inside MLS NEXT academies, and why the American system often struggles with player development, culture, and long-term growth. Ben speaks openly about the realities of pay-to-play, how parents influence development, the gap in soccer IQ between U.S. players and the global game, and what coaches look for as kids transition from club soccer to college recruiting and ultimately the pro pathway. For parents navigating ECNL, USYS, MLS NEXT, high school soccer, or the college pathway, this episode offers clarity on how elite environments truly operate and what really matters for your child’s development. Key Takeaways Why the U.S. youth soccer system creates unique pressure at early ages What American players lack compared to global development cultures How to build real soccer IQ outside of training What parents often misunderstand about development vs. competitiveness The cultural differences between U.S. club soccer and pro academies How MLS clubs evaluate young players and what separates the ones who advance Why joy and intrinsic motivation matter more than early “success” Website: https://www.chasingthegame.us (00:00) - Intro (00:40) - Ben’s Early Experiences in U.S. Youth Soccer (03:15) - Pressure, Competitiveness & Player Development (07:10) - What Parents Get Wrong About Youth Soccer (11:30) - What Real Development Looks Like Inside MLS NEXT (15:45) - Culture, Joy & The Global Game (21:20) - Navigating Club Soccer Expectations (27:50) - Ben’s Advice to Parents & Players (32:40) - Wrap-Up

Nov 19

In Part 2, Patrick Ouckama expands on how MLS academies balance opportunity, pressure, and player well-being. We explore what “success” really means for young athletes, how to handle burnout, and what U.S. clubs can learn from Europe’s development model. Patrick also shares what parents should focus on beyond the scoreboard, and how small cultural shifts can build better players and happier families. Hosted by Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia (00:00) - Introduction (00:19) - Development focus at younger ages (00:23) - Positions vs. profiles in academy evaluation (02:50) - Why many players identify as “#10s” (04:00) - When an attacking player becomes a fullback (05:50) - Pathways into the first team by position (07:45) - When to move a player out of the midfield (09:10) - Playing time vs. development at U13–U14 (12:00) - Technical load: why American players lack touches (14:50) - Are tactics introduced too early in the U.S.? (17:20) - Assessing coaching methodology inside academies (20:30) - Comparing U.S. and European development cultures (23:10) - Common misconceptions among parents (26:40) - Overlooked barriers in the U.S. development pathway (29:50) - Rapid-fire questions (33:40) - Closing remarks

Nov 12

In this first part of our conversation with Patrick Ouckama, Technical Director at the New England Revolution Academy, we go deep into the culture of player development inside an MLS NEXT environment. Patrick reflects on what has changed in U.S. youth soccer, how academy systems shape player mentality, and why development always has to come before winning. From Ithaca to the Revs to D.C. United, his story reveals the realities of balancing ambition, access, and joy in the game. Hosted by Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia . (00:00) - Intro (02:10) - Patrick’s Coaching Path (12:40) - Culture vs Talent (24:55) - Accountability Inside Academies (35:30) - Parent Expectations

Nov 5

In Part 2 of our conversation, Luis Robles (MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper) shifts from his own story to the system our kids are currently in. We discuss how MLS NEXT works alongside other leagues, why “quality of play” is evaluated by human analysts (not AI), and how video and data support coaches, players, and college recruiting. Robles explains the U13/U14 field-size change (more touches, fewer track-meet games), the push to improve playing-time and substitution rules, and why parents are central to communication and culture. What you’ll learn: How MLS NEXT coordinates with ECNL, USL, Elite Academy, EDP, and others Why “quality of play” uses human analysts and what they actually measure How video is applied for development (not just box-score stats) Why U13/U14 field sizes were reduced and what changes in matches Where winning belongs in a development model (standards and consistency) Playing time, substitution patterns, rankings and perception, and parent communication Birth-year vs. school-year, bio-banding, and flexible, player-first policies Why talent can’t be predicted at ages 11–13—and how to keep kids in the game Chapters: [00:00] Welcome back: setting the table for Part 2 [01:00] Collaborating across leagues (ECNL, USL, EA, EDP) [04:00] Jerseys and culture: why kids rep Europe and how MLS can win fans [06:00] “Quality of Play” explained: human analysts, not AI [08:00] Video for development: cataloging moments; analysts vs. box-score stats [12:00] Encouraging creativity: rewarding productive 1v1s [16:00] Using video well for coaches, players, families; college-recruiting access [19:00] Rankings, perception, and the role of parents in the conversation [21:00] U13/U14 field-size reduction: touches, decision speed, actions to goal [24:00] Nine-a-side, international comparisons, and communicating the “why” [25:00] Next focus: playing time and substitution rules [26:30] Roster math, minutes, and birth-year vs. school-year [29:00] Bio-banding and flexibility: doing what’s best for the player [31:00] Keeping kids engaged through the drop-off years (11–14) [33:00] You can’t predict 11–13: even La Masia says so [35:00] U16–U19 = performance stage: college, MLS NEXT Pro, first team [40:00] Host reflections and takeaways [42:00] Outro and thanks Guest: Luis Robles: MLS NEXT Technical Director; former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper and captain. About the show: Chasing the Game – Youth Soccer in America helps families navigate tryouts, leagues (MLS NEXT, ECNL, GA), costs, travel, coaching quality, and the paths to college or pro—through candid conversations with people shaping the system. Transcript: ‘View full transcript’

Oct 29

In Part 1 of our conversation, Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper, shares his inspiring journey from underdog to MLS legend. Luis opens up about resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned on the field that now shape his work with the next generation of American players. (00:00) - Chapter 1 (00:00) - - Luis Robles on learning soccer late and almost choosing baseball (00:00) - - From immigrant family to USMNT and MLS Cup champion (00:00) - - Becoming a soccer parent and seeing pay-to-play up close (00:00) - - The grind of travel soccer and family sacrifices (00:00) - - What MLS NEXT is and why it matters (00:00) - - Can U.S. soccer build better pathways for kids? (00:00) - - Luis on goalkeeping, resilience, and identity (00:00) - - Hopes for the next generation of players