Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

A post can open a door, but it can also distort what families think progress looks like.In this episode, Liron and Matt talk with David Rodriguez, founder of Footy Access, about one of the most loaded words in youth soccer: exposure.Parents want their kids seen. Players feel the pressure. Clubs understand the value. Platforms create visibility. But being posted is not the same thing as being developed, recruited, or ready.David explains how Footy Access thinks about coverage, why families cannot pay to have a player featured, when social media can help, and why a young player still has to hold up when the camera is off.In this episode:Why David started Footy Access after seeing a gap in youth soccer mediaWhy views and followers can become misleading metricsHow Footy Access sources stories, rankings, and player coverageWhat exposure actually means for players, clubs, and familiesWhy social media is not a replacement for showcases, scouts, or developmentWhy parents cannot pay to have a player featuredWhen posting helps a player and when it becomes noiseWhy families need a clearer “North Star” before chasing visibility(00:00) - Social Media Pressure (02:30) - How Footy Access Started (05:45) - Views Are Not the Goal (07:15) - Sourcing the Story (08:55) - Highlights, Rankings, and Scouts (11:28) - Keeping Coverage Positive (15:31) - What Exposure Means (18:49) - The Business Model (21:18) - Not Pay-to-Play (25:32) - How Players Get Validated (28:56) - What Parents Misunderstand (32:21) - Pro Dreams and the North Star (40:01) - When Posting Becomes Too Much (52:02) - Final Takeaways Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does a youth soccer coach do when parents are not watching?This week on Chasing the Game, Liron is joined by Patrick Ouckama and Phil Gordon, whose coaching path has taken him from D.C. United to Nottingham Forest.That journey gives Phil a rare view of two very different soccer environments: the American youth system and the English academy world. The conversation keeps returning to something most parents do not always see clearly.Coaching is not just the session.It is the planning before training.The conversations after practice.The hard roster decisions.The scouting meetings.The staffing behind the player.The hours spent thinking about development long after the whistle blows.Phil talks about the dedication required to coach well, what changes when you move into a Premier League academy environment, and why staffing and structure matter so much in player development.For American soccer parents, this episode offers a useful look behind the curtain. Not because England has all the answers. Not because Nottingham Forest is a magic model. But seeing how another environment supports players and coaches can help us ask better questions about our own.In this episode, we cover:- What parents often miss about the work coaches do- Why coaching is much more than running a training session- How Phil’s path moved from D.C. United to Nottingham Forest- What the UK academy environment feels like from the inside- Why staffing, scouting, and support roles matter in development- The difference between coaching in the U.S. and England- How geography changes the academy experience in the UK- What American players bring, and where they can still grow- Why parent-coach relationships can shape the development experience- How families should think about college, contracts, and long-term pathways(00:00) - What Coaches Really Do (03:00) - Phil Gordon’s Coaching Path (06:00) - Work Ethic From The U.S. (09:00) - What Parents Don’t See (12:00) - Rosters, Playing Time, Hard Choices (15:00) - Parents And Coaches Together (18:00) - What Changed In England (21:00) - Staffing, Scouts, And Infrastructure (25:00) - Geography And Academy Options (29:00) - American Athleticism, European Technique (33:00) - Watching The Game Differently (36:00) - College, Contracts, And Choices (42:00) - What Has To Give (45:00) - The Dedication Behind The Job View full transcript

Most soccer families are told the same thing: specialize early, chase the biggest league, get seen, and don’t fall behind.But Don Farr and his son Ryan tell a different story.Ryan played multiple sports, stayed connected to high school soccer, took a post-grad year at Northwood, and then became a standout freshman at Stony Brook. His path was not clean. It was not obvious. And that is exactly why it matters.This episode is about the decisions families make when there is no perfect answer. Academy or high school. D1 or D3. Exposure or fit. Scholarship or affordability. Dream big, but stay honest.In this episode:Why all three Farr brothers ended up with different soccer outcomesWhat high school soccer still gives players in certain communitiesWhy Ryan chose Northwood instead of jumping straight into collegeThe shock of entering a more professional soccer environmentThe real value, and limits, of showcasesWhy ID camps are often misunderstoodHow families should think about scholarship money and actual college costWhat Ryan learned from his freshman year at Stony Brook(00:00) - America, Land of Soccer Opportunity (02:20) - Meet Don and Ryan Farr (03:45) - Falling in Love With the Game (06:10) - Three Brothers, Three Soccer Paths (09:20) - High School Soccer Still Matters (12:05) - Choosing Northwood Over a D1 Offer (15:10) - Finding a Position and a Purpose (18:15) - The Post-Grad Year That Changed Everything (23:55) - Inside the Northwood Environment (27:20) - D1, D3, and What Parents Actually Feel (31:20) - Showcases, Exposure, and Being Seen (35:40) - What Coaches Notice Beyond the Ball (38:55) - The Money Side of College Soccer (42:10) - Ryan’s Freshman Breakthrough (45:00) - Keeping the Pro Dream Alive (48:05) - The Truth About ID Camps (51:00) - What Parents Should Take Away Click here to view the episode transcript.

Youth soccer keeps changing. Most families are still searching for fixed answers.In this episode, Filippo Giovagnoli challenges some of the deepest assumptions parents have about development, culture, tactics, pathways, and what actually creates players.This is not a conversation about nostalgia or romantic ideas about European football. It is about adaptation.The modern game moves faster. Players have less time. Duels matter more. Decision-making matters more. Grit matters more. And the players who survive are often the ones who keep evolving.We talk about:Why winning duels is not just physicalWhy tactics too early can hurt developmentWhy “soccer culture” alone solves nothingWhy American soccer is improving faster than people thinkWhy parents misunderstand data and pathwaysWhy adaptability may matter more than raw talentWhy intrinsic motivation changes everythingWhy Europe is not one simple blueprintFor parents, the real question becomes uncomfortable:(00:00) - Start (00:03) - Not About Nostalgia (01:38) - Filippo’s Football Path (05:01) - Seeing Talent in America (08:33) - Why Duels Matter (11:32) - U.S. Development Is Catching Up (13:59) - Pro Clubs and Local Academies (15:31) - Europe Is Not One Answer (19:00) - Why Parents Get Lost (21:30) - Culture Is Not Enough (24:31) - The Pro Dream and College Reality (27:28) - The Dangerous Educated Parent (32:27) - What the Numbers Miss (37:31) - Desire Has to Come From Inside (42:31) - Too Much Tactics Too Early (49:59) - Grit Is the New Talent Are we helping our kids adapt to the modern game, or preparing them for a version that no longer exists?

Your First Contract Is Not a CareerA pro contract at 18 can look like the finish line. In this episode, Dr. Chris Platts explains why it is often just the start of the hardest stretch.For soccer parents, the pressure is familiar. The badge. The academy. The scholarship. The contract. Each one can start to feel like proof that the path is working.But Chris’ research with young players shows a more complicated reality. Families often make major decisions without first asking the simplest question: what are we actually trying to achieve?This conversation is about the years after the first contract, the risk of staying in the wrong environment, why late developers get missed, and how parents can become the anchor without trying to control every step.In this episode:Why “making it” needs a clearer definitionWhat parents and players may not agree onWhy the first pro contract is not the endpointWhy 18 to 23 can define a player’s careerHow academy systems can miss late developersWhy bigger clubs are not always better environmentsWhen paying to play becomes a red flagHow parents can ask better questions before big decisions(00:00) - What Does Making It Mean? (01:13) - Chris Platts’ Research Lens (04:10) - Define The Goal First (08:13) - Parents And Players Need Alignment (11:42) - The First Contract Problem (14:23) - Why Late Developers Get Missed (18:21) - The 18 To 23 Window (21:09) - Brand Attachment And Hard Choices (24:26) - What Good Environments Actually Do (27:06) - Short-Term Thinking In Academies (30:15) - Why It Is All Plan A (35:51) - Paying To Play Red Flags (38:56) - Is The Bigger Badge Better? (42:04) - Parents Need Better Information Click here to view the episode transcript.

Too Much Noise in Youth Soccer:What Actually Builds PlayersThere has never been more around youth soccer players. More training. More clubs. More private sessions. More advice.And somehow, many players are still missing the basics.In this episode, Brian Chun and Edson Elcock join Liron and Matt to talk about what actually builds players and what just creates noise. They break down why simple training still matters, why repetition is disappearing, and why development cannot be outsourced to a trainer, a club, or a system.This conversation challenges both parents and players to rethink what progress really looks like.In this episode: • Why youth soccer has too much noise • What players lose when everything is structured • Why simple training still wins • The role of repetition and failure • Why parents cannot outsource development • The 14–16 age plateau explained • What honest coaching really looks like (00:00) - Cold Open: The Work Before the Pathway (01:25) - Meet Brian Chun and Edson Elcock (05:12) - The Noise in Youth Soccer (10:26) - Why Simple Training Still Wins (11:17) - Repetition Without Purpose (13:20) - Cones vs Real Pressure (15:00) - Creativity and Free Play (20:58) - Are Kids Told the Truth? (22:30) - Parents and Sugarcoating (25:36) - Learning Failure Early (29:30) - The 14 to 16 Plateau (35:21) - Reading Players as a Coach (40:00) - Development Cannot Be Outsourced

Youth Soccer Development: Why Clarity Matters | Christian GonzalezWhat does a club really mean when it says it develops players?In this episode, Christian Gonzalez gets specific. We talk about why clarity matters in youth soccer, how vague coaching creates vague outcomes, and why real development lives in details, standards, and consistent correction.This conversation goes beyond branding and club language. Christian breaks down how New York Soccer Club thinks about coach education, parent communication, affordability, player feedback, and building a culture where development is more than a slogan. We also get into the New York and Westchester soccer landscape, MLS academies, college recruiting, the transfer portal, and what families should actually look for when judging a club.In this episode:Why clarity matters in youth soccer developmentThe danger of vague coaching languageWhy general practice leads to general outcomesHow New York Soccer Club approaches standards and coach educationThe competitive level in New York and WestchesterCost, access, and the pressure families feelWhy correcting and criticizing are not the same thingHow the college pathway has changedWhat showcases and ID events can and cannot do(00:00) - Why Clarity Matters (04:44) - How NYSC Was Built (11:10) - General Coaching, General Outcomes (19:59) - The New York Standard (30:00) - Cost, Access, And Pressure (40:00) - Correct, Don’t Just Criticize (45:01) - College Pathways Have Changed (50:10) - Showcases, ID, And Reality Click here to view the episode transcript.

What actually shapes a player. Talent, training, mentality, environment, or the people around them?In this episode of Chasing the Game, we talk with Gotham FC rookie Talia Sommer about the path that shaped her: growing up between New York and Tel Aviv, playing with boys, turning pro in Israel at 14, choosing Butler over Atlético Madrid, and learning how to protect her own voice as the game got more serious.This is also one of our clearest conversations yet about the line between support and pressure. Talia talks honestly about parents, expectations, identity, creativity, free play, and why some players look technically prepared yet still miss the game's real, in-the-moment feel. For families trying to understand youth soccer development, especially on the girls’ side, this episode says a lot.(00:00) - Why Talia Sommer’s story matters (02:13) - Harlem, Tel Aviv, and falling in love with soccer (05:46) - Playing with boys, Manhattan SC, and Maccabi (08:05) - Turning pro at 14 in Israel and the road to Butler (10:14) - Parents, freedom, and the line between support and pressure (14:01) - "I need you to be my dad" (16:57) - Playing up, college, and learning from older players (19:03) - Israel vs. the U.S. vs. Europe in women’s soccer (22:54) - American players, creativity, and what can be missing (28:34) - Free play, extra training, and the 1,000 touches debate (35:45) - Choosing Butler over Atlético Madrid (39:04) - Advice for young players, and what parents should hear Click here to view the episode transcript.

Barcelona is the dream for a lot of soccer families. But what does that environment actually demand from a player, and what are parents really chasing when they look at Spain?Liron is joined by Patrick Ouckama and Barcelona-based coach Nil Congost of EOS Football for a parent-first conversation about Catalonia’s football culture, why promotion and relegation changes the standard, why technical training alone can mislead families, and what American players actually run into when they step into a more demanding football environment.This episode is about the gap between image and reality: purpose, pressure, adaptation, decision-making, and the kind of player who can truly benefit from training in Spain. (00:00) - Parents are overwhelmed. And guessing (02:00) - Andrew May’s path through top academies (04:35) - What changed in his view of development (07:25) - Why parents struggle to read the landscape (10:05) - How to judge a club beyond the badge (14:55) - The right questions to ask a club (18:45) - IDPs, growth setting, and real progress (22:10) - Pressure, private training, and parent ego (27:10) - Communication gaps between clubs and families (31:45) - Supporting players through hard moments (38:40) - What top environments actually do better (45:55) - The car ride home and parent-player trust (52:35) - You are the customer. Ask what you’re paying for (55:15) - Final takeaways for soccer parents

Parents in youth soccer are often forced to make big decisions with partial information, mixed signals, and a lot of anxiety. Andrew May, whose coaching background includes Chivas USA, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, and LAFC, explains how families can better evaluate clubs, ask sharper questions, and support development without getting lost in badge-chasing, pressure, or noise. This is a practical episode about communication, trust, expectations, and how parents can make better choices for the child in front of them.(00:00) - Start (00:03) - Cold Open. What MLS Academies Actually Want (01:01) - Jose Campos’s Journey to Orlando City (05:04) - What Different Soccer Cultures Teach You (11:36) - Building Orlando’s Player Profile and Culture (20:08) - Performance vs Potential. Early and Late Developers (24:59) - How Orlando Recruits and Builds Its Roster (30:01) - What Live Scouting Reveals That Video Misses (34:03) - America’s Diversity, Styles, and Player Profiles (39:03) - Trial Advice for Players and Parents (43:02) - Always Chase the Next Level (46:01) - The U.S. System, Pay-to-Play, and the Business Reality

What do MLS academies actually look for in a player?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia sit down with Jose Campos, Academy Director at Orlando City, for one of the clearest conversations we’ve had yet about how serious academies really think.Jose explains how Orlando City defines player profile, what “fit” actually means inside a pro academy, why growth mindset and coachability matter so much, and how scouts separate current performance from long-term potential. He also gets into what parents misunderstand about trials, why college is not failure, and how players should think about challenge, development, and timing.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and serious players trying to better understand MLS academies, the youth development process, and what decision-makers are really evaluating behind the scenes.(00:00) - Start (00:03) - Cold Open. What MLS Academies Actually Want (01:01) - Jose Campos’s Journey to Orlando City (05:04) - What Different Soccer Cultures Teach You (11:36) - Building Orlando’s Player Profile and Culture (20:08) - Performance vs Potential. Early and Late Developers (24:59) - How Orlando Recruits and Builds Its Roster (30:01) - What Live Scouting Reveals That Video Misses (34:03) - America’s Diversity, Styles, and Player Profiles (39:03) - Trial Advice for Players and Parents (43:02) - Always Chase the Next Level (46:01) - The U.S. System, Pay-to-Play, and the Business Reality (56:03) - What Players Still Need Beyond Training (01:00:00) - Host Takeaways and Final Reflections Click here to view the episode transcript.

What if the youth soccer pathway is bigger than most families realize?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Matt Poland, Sporting Director and head coach at FC Naples, about where the USL fits into the American player-development system and why it may become a more important part of the pathway for young players.They discuss building a professional club from the ground up, the gap between academy soccer and a true first-team environment, how USL can help bridge youth development and the pro game, what clubs look for in young players, and why culture, veteran leadership, and real professional standards matter so much in player growth.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players trying to better understand the full American pathway, including academy soccer, college soccer, USL, and the difficult transition into the professional game.(00:00) - Start (00:03) - MLS, D1, and the Question Nobody Asks: USL (01:38) - Introducing Matt Poland and the FC Naples Project (04:12) - Building a Professional Club From the Ground Up (07:26) - Where USL Fits in the American Soccer Pyramid (11:05) - The Professional Locker Room: What Young Players Experience (15:18) - The Speed of the Game at the Professional Level (19:42) - Why Young Players Sometimes Regress Before They Improve (24:31) - Development vs Winning in Youth Soccer (29:58) - What Clubs Actually Look for in Young Players (35:12) - The Importance of Culture Inside a Professional Club (40:27) - Pathways to the Pro Game: More Than One Route (46:03) - Advice for Soccer Parents Navigating the System (50:41) - The Future of USL and Opportunity for Young Players Click here to view the episode transcript.

What actually prepares a young player for the next level?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Tom Bowen, Academy Director at Long Island Soccer Club in MLS NEXT and assistant coach at Hofstra University, about what player development looks like from both the academy and college sides.They discuss Europe versus America, maturity, locker-room culture, college recruiting, scholarship realities, development versus winning, early and late bloomers, and how parents can better evaluate training environments.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players trying to make informed decisions about MLS NEXT, club soccer, college recruiting, and long-term player development. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Cold Open. Three Views of the Youth Soccer Pathway (01:38) - Europe vs America. Why Maturity Shows Up Earlier (04:03) - What U.S. Youth Soccer Actually Gets Right (07:20) - College Recruiting Reality. Scholarships, Transfers, and Risk (15:51) - Long Island Soccer Club and the MLS NEXT Buildout (19:45) - Winning vs Development. Pressure, Bio-Banding, and Standards (24:00) - Staffing the Club and Building the Right Environment (31:50) - The Win-at-All-Costs Trap and Early Developers (35:49) - Island FC and Long Island's Emerging Pro Pathway (39:30) - College or Pro. Why Education Still Matters (43:38) - How Parents Can Judge Trainers and Development Sessions (47:49) - Coaching Style, Social Media, and the Final Parent Takeaways Click here to view the episode transcript.

How far should a family go for elite youth soccer?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Justin Phelps about the real cost of pursuing an MLS NEXT academy opportunity and how that decision can affect family life.They discuss relocation, long commutes, emotional strain, routines, pressure, academy environment, and the difference between a strong badge and a truly developmental setting.This episode is for soccer parents navigating MLS NEXT, ECNL, academy decisions, relocation questions, and the difficult line between supporting a child’s ambition and protecting the family around it. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Cold open. The 13 year old roommate (00:45) - MLS NEXT and environment. Why families relocate (01:38) - Who is Justin. Soccer HQ, outsider dad learning the game (03:03) - The Orlando City Academy call (05:00) - The U13 jump. physicality, speed, confidence (10:00) - The family math. travel, money, emotional cost (15:00) - Apartment life. routines, pressure, staying positive (24:08) - My roommate is my 13 year old son (24:42) - The omelet moment (33:20) - How to evaluate an academy. signals that matter (44:37) - Advice to the Zillow parent. before you move (48:40) - What we learned. next steps Click here to view the episode transcript.

Can a small club create a better development environment than a large one?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Evan Rosenthal, president and director of Manhattan Kickers FC, about one of the most distinctive small-club models in New York City youth soccer.They discuss selective growth, one team per age group, coach continuity, motivation at young ages, scholarships, player handoff to bigger clubs, and why scaling too quickly can dilute standards.This episode is for soccer parents navigating the New York City soccer landscape and anyone trying to understand how club size, philosophy, and environment shape player development. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Chapter (01:00) - The big idea. A sponsor supported layer (03:10) - What problem he is actually solving (04:20) - Facilities + coaching. Building a home base (06:20) - Sponsorship mechanics. Who pays for what (10:05) - Widening the funnel. Finding every player (13:45) - Avoiding a new elite lane. Access vs exclusivity (18:10) - How this works with clubs. Incentives and friction (22:10) - What sponsors get back. Value and alignment (26:00) - Scale question. Local pilot or repeatable model (30:10) - Reality check. Execution details and constraints (35:40) - The bigger system. What would have to change (41:10) - Wrap. What success looks like next Click here to view the episode transcript.

Why do so many U.S. players struggle when they enter a true football culture?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Dutch coach and academy educator Ditmer de Jong about the invisible cultural gap between U.S. youth soccer and Dutch youth soccer.They discuss self-regulation, autonomy, question-based coaching, everyday football culture, risk-taking, and why players develop differently when coaches foster ownership rather than dependence.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches who want a clearer understanding of culture, coaching philosophy, and what American families can learn from Dutch player development. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Cold Open (00:32) - Why This Club Stays Small (04:15) - One Team Per Age Group (09:42) - Spotting Motivation at Age 6 (16:08) - What Changes by U10 (23:10) - The “Special Sauce” Coaching Model (31:20) - Scholarships & Access (38:44) - The Handoff to Bigger Clubs (46:30) - Scaling vs Standards (54:05) - What Parents Get Wrong (59:10) - Final Takeaways Click here to view the episode transcript.

What if the biggest difference between Dutch and U.S. youth soccer isn’t talent, facilities, or even training volume, but culture.In this episode of Chasing the Game. Youth Soccer in America, we talk with Ditmer (a Dutch coach and academy educator) about the invisible gap many American parents feel but can’t name. In the Netherlands, he explains, football is everywhere. It’s normal to play at school, after school, and through the local club culture. That everyday immersion shapes how players think, how they learn, and how they handle pressure.From there, we zoom in on one of the most important ideas in modern player development. Self-regulation.Ditmer breaks down what it looks like when coaches build ownership rather than dependence. Not “do this, do that,” but asking players what they want to improve. Teaching reflection. Building decision-makers. Helping kids learn how to learn.If you’re a soccer parent navigating pay-to-play, tryouts, roster churn, and the constant noise of “pathways,” this conversation offers a clearer lens. It’s not a European fantasy. It’s a practical look at why culture and coaching philosophy matter, and what American families and clubs can take from the Dutch model without pretending the systems are identical.In this episode, we coverWhy “football is everywhere” changes everything for player developmentThe difference between training more and learning betterWhat Dutch coaches mean by self-regulation and “self-learning.”How question-based coaching builds smarter, calmer playersWhy U.S. youth soccer often produces dependence on instructionsWhat parents can do now to support autonomy, confidence, and resilienceThe real gap parents don’t see until they compare environmentsChapters:(00:00) - Dutch vs U.S. Youth Soccer. The Gap Parents Don’t See (01:02) - Why This Comparison Matters to Parents (04:10) - Dutch Youth Soccer Is an Ecosystem (07:45) - Self-Regulation Starts Early (12:30) - Why Dutch Coaches Stay Silent (17:40) - Micro-Coaching and Its Hidden Costs (23:05) - U12 Match Day. Twin Games Explained (30:10) - Encouraging 1v1s and Risk-Taking (36:25) - What Coaches Look for Beyond Talent (42:50) - The Parents’ Role Off the Field (49:15) - Why Development Is Not Linear (56:40) - Key Takeaways for U.S. Parents Click here to view the episode transcript.

What happens when the dream path finally opens, and a player is no longer sure they want it?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Alex Rando about big decisions, discipline, family pressure, goalkeeper mentality, and what it really means to bet on yourself in youth soccer.They explore academy soccer in New York, the pull of MLS NEXT, college soccer versus the pro route, and the emotional weight of choosing growth over comfort when the stakes suddenly become real.This episode is for soccer parents and players navigating major pathway decisions and trying to understand how ambition, identity, and long-term development collide. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Betting on Yourself (02:10) - Growing Up Playing in Manhattan (06:25) - When Soccer Starts Feeling Serious (10:40) - The First Big Decisions (15:55) - Choosing Growth Over Comfort (21:05) - Parents as Support, Not Directors (26:20) - Pressure, Mistakes, and the Goalkeeper Mindset (31:45) - College, Contracts, and Uncertainty (37:10) - Discipline Beats Motivation (42:30) - What Being “Ready” Actually Means (47:50) - The Decisions That Stay With You (51:40) - Final Takeaways on Betting on Yourself Click here to view the episode transcript.

What happens when elite youth soccer becomes a constant evaluation cycle?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia are joined by Dr. Jonathan Jenkins and Dr. Kimberly O’Brien, authors of Mentality Wins, to unpack the mental toll of pressure, fear of mistakes, comparison culture, and burnout in elite youth soccer.They discuss confidence, feedback, the cognitive triangle, athlete identity, and practical tools parents and coaches can use to support mental health without lowering standards.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches navigating tryouts, feedback, anxiety, burnout, and the challenge of helping young players stay healthy, resilient, and connected to the game. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - The Hidden Cost of Elite Youth Soccer (02:05) - Constant Evaluation and Playing Afraid (06:48) - The 2% Difference. Mental Not Physical (11:32) - Fear of Mistakes and Performance Anxiety (16:10) - Comparison Culture and Identity (21:05) - Feedback That Builds or Breaks Kids (26:18) - The Cognitive Triangle Explained (31:44) - Parents, Coaches, and the Sideline Problem (36:52) - The Car Ride Home. Comfort or Solutions (42:30) - Focus, Flow, Finish, Flourish (49:10) - Applying the Mental Game at Home and Training (57:40) - What Parents and Coaches Should Take Away Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does youth soccer in America miss when the game stops being played and starts becoming a product?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Peguy Luyindula, former player for Lyon, Marseille, PSG, the France national team, and the New York Red Bulls, about the difference between a football culture built on everyday play and one shaped by structure, fees, and outcomes.They discuss street football, creativity, coaching standards, pay-to-play, parents as clients, and how to support growth without draining a child’s love of the game.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches who want a deeper perspective on culture, development, access, and what American youth soccer can learn from more organic football environments.F https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Start (00:04) - Cold open. why this guest matters (00:36) - Peguy intro. PSG, Lyon, Marseille, France, MLS (01:40) - Interview begins (03:18) - Street football roots. how it started (09:26) - Playing anywhere. cans, rocks, tennis balls (14:52) - First big moment. scoring. belief (15:31) - When football becomes work (20:28) - Coaching as responsibility. train coaches. set standards (24:42) - Europe vs U.S. youth soccer culture (36:55) - Pay-to-play and the U.S. maze (40:23) - Parents as clients. business pressure vs development (49:58) - It’s not a game when you become a pro (01:01:45) - Host wrap. access, environment, and the hunger Click here to view the episode transcript.

Why do professional academies sometimes care less about winning than parents expect?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Sean McCafferty, Academy Director of the New York Red Bulls, about how elite youth development really works inside a pro club.They discuss MLS NEXT, development versus winning, evaluation beyond talent, playing up, adversity, late bloomers, and what parents should actually prioritize when choosing a club.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players seeking to understand academy soccer, long-term development, and how professional clubs approach growth, patience, and performance. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Welcome, why this episode is for parents (00:39) - Sean McCafferty, England to New York, coaching lens (02:44) - What an academy director actually does (05:28) - Scouting and selection, what gets a kid noticed (09:00) - Training culture, standards, and daily environment (15:00) - Development vs winning, teaching the game (27:00) - Minutes, roles, playing up, and roster reality (32:42) - Red Bull global network, Salzburg, Leipzig, Brazil (33:00) - Tournaments and the travel culture (45:08) - Growth spurts, late bloomers, and patience (55:12) - Cost, pay to play pressures, what families face (01:01:00) - What actually makes a player, scanning and decisions (01:11:30) - Closing thoughts and advice for families Click here to view the episode transcript.

After a full run of interviews, what actually became clearer about youth soccer in America?In this season recap of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia break down the major lessons from their first nine interviews across MLS NEXT, club soccer, player development, pay-to-play, and youth sports parenting.They revisit the biggest themes: roster math, communication, touches, pressure, pathway confusion, the misuse of the word “elite,” and what families should focus on instead of hype.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches who want a clearer summary of the show's biggest structural lessons so far and what matters most going forward. https://chasingthegame.us(00:00) - Episode 10 recap: what we learned (double digits) (03:10) - Luis Robles: MLS NEXT is dynamic, but communication lags (06:53) - Patrick Ouckama: culture + why the US can’t be “Europe-lite.” (09:10) - Noah Gins: youth soccer is a business (pay-to-play reality) (12:38) - Are we calling too many kids “elite”? The funnel problem (16:10) - Roster math + scarcity: where the minutes go (19:33) - Patience + Morten’s staircase: where you start vs how you climb (25:30) - Touches + what “good training” even looks like (28:24) - Supplemental work: tutor analogy, FOMO, and the noise (34:35) - Burnout: it’s often pressure (not just volume) (36:44) - Parents evolve: separation, new role, and supporting the kid (47:59) - Tournaments, showcases, and the travel economy (MLS NEXT Fest, EDP) (56:46) - World Cup 2026 + MLS growth: what it could unlock next (59:14) - Season 2 teaser: mental, physical, directors, girls' game Click here to view the episode transcript.

What if the youth soccer system is rewarding the wrong things?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Morten Gahn, former director of the NYCFC Soccer Academy, about why early success is often mistaken for long-term potential.They discuss winning versus development, structured plans versus feelings, the staircase analogy for player growth, challenge and adversity, and what parents should really watch for in elite environments.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches questioning how players are evaluated, how opportunity is framed, and whether current development models truly support long-term growth.(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.

How do young coaches and former players see the gaps in youth soccer differently from everyone else?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Brando Babini and Billy Pavlou, founders of Youth4Youth FC and Next Level USA, about supplemental training, mentorship, match minutes, and what families often misunderstand about development.They explore near-peer coaching, the role of parents, differences between clubs in New York City, college recruiting, social media, burnout, and why the next generation may reshape the U.S. youth soccer landscape.This episode is for soccer parents and players looking for clearer guidance on supplemental training, exposure, development, and the real value of the right environment.(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 Click here to view the episode transcript.

Why does youth soccer in America feel chaotic even when everyone involved cares deeply about development?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Noah Gins, Founder and CEO of Albion, about structure, culture, recruiting, retention, and what a functioning youth soccer system could look like in the United States.They discuss the league maze, club incentives, beautiful soccer versus winning, measurable development, college recruiting myths, and how clubs should define success in a fragmented system.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and club leaders who want a sharper understanding of club culture, player pathways, and the pressures shaping youth soccer in America.(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 Click here to view the episode transcript.

Why do so many youth soccer environments create pressure before players are ready for it?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Ben Olsen about the realities of pressure in youth soccer in the United States and what parents often misunderstand about development.The conversation covers pay-to-play, soccer IQ, joy versus pressure, MLS NEXT academy culture, player development, and how elite environments evaluate potential beyond early success.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players navigating ECNL, USYS, MLS NEXT, high school soccer, and the college pathway, as they try to understand what truly matters for long-term growth.(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 Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does it mean to coach the person, not just the player?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Patrick Ouckama, Technical Director at the New England Revolution Academy, about culture, accountability, and player development inside an MLS NEXT environment.They explore Patrick’s coaching path, what has changed in U.S. youth soccer, how academy systems shape mentality, and why development has to come before short-term winning.This episode is for parents and coaches who want a clearer view of how elite academy soccer works and how the best environments build both stronger players and stronger people.(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 Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does it mean to coach the person, not just the player?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia speak with Patrick Ouckama, Technical Director at the New England Revolution Academy, about culture, accountability, and player development inside an MLS NEXT environment.They explore Patrick’s coaching path, what has changed in U.S. youth soccer, how academy systems shape mentality, and why development has to come before short-term winning.This episode is for parents and coaches who want a clearer view of how elite academy soccer works and how the best environments build both stronger players and stronger people.(00:00) - Intro (02:10) - Patrick’s Coaching Path (12:40) - Culture vs Talent (24:55) - Accountability Inside Academies (35:30) - Parent Expectations Click here to view the episode transcript.

How should parents think about development inside a system as fragmented as American youth soccer?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia continue their conversation with Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls captain. This time, the focus shifts from personal journey to the system families are navigating right now.They discuss how MLS NEXT fits alongside ECNL, USL, EA, and EDP; how video and analysis are used in development; why field-size and substitution decisions matter; and how parents fit into communication, culture, and long-term player growth.This episode is for soccer parents and coaches trying to make smarter decisions about league choice, development environments, and what truly helps players progress.Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does better player development actually look like in American youth soccer?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia talk with Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper, about his path through the game and how that experience now shapes his view of youth development in the United States.The conversation covers resilience, leadership, goalkeeping, the sacrifices families make in travel soccer, and why MLS NEXT matters in the broader player-development landscape.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players who want to understand how elite development is changing in the U.S. and what values still matter most underneath the structure.(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 Click here to view the episode transcript.

Why does youth soccer in America feel like a maze?In this episode of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia set the foundation for the show by breaking down the fragmented U.S. youth soccer landscape. They compare MLS NEXT, ECNL, GA, USYS, high school soccer, and other pathways, and explain why so many families feel confused even when they are deeply invested in the game.You’ll hear how pay-to-play shapes access, how American soccer culture differs from more established football countries, and why the definition of “success” in youth soccer is often far less clear than parents expect.This episode is for soccer parents, coaches, and players who want a clearer understanding of the youth soccer system in the United States and the major decisions families face inside it.(00:00) - Introduction – Welcome to Chasing the Game (01:45) - Too Many Leagues, Too Little Clarity (06:30) - Matt’s Stats Corner – Fragmented System by the Numbers (09:50) - Liron’s Story – The Soccer Labyrinth at Home (13:10) - The MLS NEXT Shift (17:20) - The Pay-to-Play Paradox (21:00) - Expert Perspective – Finding Your Path (26:40) - The End Game – What Success Looks Like (29:10) - Closing – What We’ll Tackle Next

Why does youth soccer in America feel so complicated for families?In this trailer for Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, hosts Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia introduce the show and the questions driving it. From MLS NEXT and ECNL to pay-to-play, travel costs, coaching culture, and player development, this podcast is built for parents trying to understand how the U.S. youth soccer system actually works.You’ll hear how Chasing the Game approaches the topic: clear analysis, honest parent perspective, and conversations with coaches, academy directors, former pros, and people working inside the system.This show is for soccer parents, coaches, and players navigating club soccer, academy pathways, college recruiting, and the broader culture of youth soccer in the United States.https://chasingthegame.us