In this episode, we catch up with Facundo Bruno, a former American youth soccer talent now living in Argentina.

We discuss his journey from the U.S. to Argentina, the differences between soccer cultures, and the intense pressure and environment young players face in Argentina.

We also talk about the broader cultural, political, and economic context in Argentina and how it impacts soccer. Lastly, we touch on how past experiences with the sport have shaped our perspectives and the importance of non-robotic, genuine interactions both on and off the field.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 393: The Argentina Connection – Soccer Culture, Development, and Lessons appeared first on 3four3.

In this insightful episode, Gary Kleiban and Benny Rogers tackle the intricacies of pro player development in the United States. Starting with a listener question on coaching U9 girls using the 3four3 methodology, they emphasize treating young players with the same foundational principles as older groups focusing on possession, structure, and adaptation across formats like 7v7 or 9v9. The conversation shifts to the pro pipeline: what it takes to become a professional, from early athleticism and technique honed outside team environments to mentality and discipline in adolescence.

Gary shares real-world examples from their academy days, highlighting how players like Efrain Alvarez stood out due to innate skills developed through pickup play and family influence. They debunk myths about “letting kids play” without structure and stress the need for competition, humility, and paranoia about being displaced to achieve career longevity drawing parallels to legends like Messi and testimonials from pros like Oscar Ruggeri.

The episode critiques the recreational nature of much of American soccer, even in top leagues like MLS Next and ECNL, and explores external factors like training compensation, MLS ownership, and pathways via USL or overseas moves. With success stories of coaches winning state championships using 3four3 frameworks and a teaser on a “Drake Equation” for pro odds, this is essential listening for coaches at 343coaching.com and parents at 343masterclass.com aiming to build dominant, pro-ready players.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 392: Unlocking Pro Player Development – Pathways, Odds, and Longevity in American Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, Gary Kleiban welcomes Filippo Silva, the independent voice behind Tactical Manager TV, for an unfiltered discussion on the state of American soccer.

Filippo, a Brazilian-American with a deep soccer background, shares his journey from playing and coaching to building a platform that challenges the U.S. soccer establishment.

The conversation covers the USMNT's struggles, including the entitlement of the current golden generation and Christian Pulisic's controversial decision to skip the Gold Cup.

They also explore MLS's controlled growth, the U.S. Open Cup saga, and the recent USSF-TST partnership, questioning whether it signals a corporate takeover of a fan-driven tournament.

Filippo embodies the power of independent media and vocal fans in driving change, citing Gregg Berhalter's firing as proof of supporter influence.

Packed with insights for coaches, parents, and fans, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in transforming American soccer.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 391: Filippo Silva (Tactical Manager) on Independent Media and USMNT Challenges appeared first on 3four3.

We explore the non-negotiable factors necessary for effective player development, such as possession-based gameplay and actual results on the field. We also dive into sideline coaching, creativity in players, and the critical role of charisma and care in coaching.

Throughout, we address the misconceptions within the American soccer environment and propose ways to cultivate genuine soccer culture through structured yet flexible avenues like pickup games.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 390: Messi, Hulk Hogan, and the 3 Non-Negotiables in What Makes a Great Coach appeared first on 3four3.

Designing Effective Training Sessions: Insights and Strategies

We touch upon the early days of session planning, the evolution of professionalizing training, and the importance of having premeditated player groupings.

We also cover typical session structures including warmups, technical exercises, tactical exercises, and play phases.

The episode highlights the common coaching mistake of doing too much and emphasizes the importance of mastery and consistent activities in training. We also discuss soccer governance and session planning’s connection to promotion/relegation.

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 389: Developing Teams and Players with Intentional Session Design appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we discuss how to evaluate whether your player or kid is legitimately good at soccer.

We share an email received from a concerned father about his 13-year-old son, highlighting the common issue of ‘man child' dominance in youth soccer masking true deficiencies.

We share insights into the rigorous process of player evaluations we personally did at Chivas USA, highlighting the importance of honesty and a strong rapport with both players and parents. We also touch on broader issues like the impact of nepotism in sports and the balance between encouraging talent and keeping young athletes grounded.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 388: Is Your Kid ACTUALLY Good, or Are You Deluded? appeared first on 3four3.

A compelling episode with Joey Cascio, who shares his extensive coaching experience and insights gained over 15-20 years.

We discuss the recent Club World Cup, where Chelsea surprisingly beat PSG, and dive into coaching philosophy and methodologies. Joey highlights the challenges and joys of youth coaching, such as building a team’s identity and handling parental involvement.

We also touch on the importance of watching professional games for continuous learning and credibility as a coach. Joey provides updates on his current team, the Rebels Soccer Club, and their journey through the ECNL playoffs. This episode offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in elevating their coaching or navigating the complexities of American soccer.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 387: Legit Youth Soccer Insights from a Legit Practitioner + Club World Cup Final Conclusions appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we wrap up discussions on the US men’s national team following their 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final.

We dive into roster decisions, tactical choices, and the higher-level takeaways from both the match and the broader program.

We also emphasize the critical role fans play in shaping soccer culture and hence success or failure in America.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 386: FINAL VERDICT on the USMNT appeared first on 3four3.

Culture, Passion, and the Realities Holding American Soccer Back

We bring on long-time friend and experienced practitioner, Kephern Fuller, to discuss the challenges and barriers in US soccer culture, the differences between suburban and international football cultures, and the importance of mental resilience.

We examine the role of culture in developing top players, top clubs, top fans and debate the impact of diverse backgrounds on team dynamics.

We highlight the perspectives of players and coaches who navigate the complex landscape of American and international soccer. We also touch on the significance of real pride and commitment in building successful teams.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 385: USMNT Failures Prove “Culture is King” appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we touch on the US men’s national team’s semi-final against Guatemala and Pochettino’s remarks an American soccer culture.

We reflect on Diego Luna’s performance and critique the hype around his goals. We also address listeners’ feedback, focusing on the critical issues within the US soccer system, including the need for cultural change among fans and the importance of promotion and relegation.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 384: Placing the USMNT Gold Cup in Context, as with Pochettino, Diego Luna, and Audience Comments appeared first on 3four3.