Against All Odds

Big thank you to Jordan Adebayo-Smith for hopping on this week's episode of the podcast! You guys can check him out on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/adebayosmith_/?hl=en

Big thank you to Carlos Herrera for hopping on the podcast! Carlos has an incredible story of grinding through junior college and the division 2 level, then spending years playing NPSL and USL2 football before finally getting his chance at the professional level at 24 years old. 

Big thank you to Haruki for coming on the this episode of the podcast! Follow Haruki's Journey on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/haruki_ymzk88/?hl=en

Huge thank you to Sean Mann for sitting down to discuss the future of the USL with me today in this special episode of The Against All Odds Podcast!

Sean Mann is one of the co-founder, co-owner, and CEO of Detroit City FC. Today we sit down and discuss the future of the USL with regards to Pro/Rel, Division One, and DCFC!

Big thank you to Darren Smith for coming on the podcast this week! You guys can follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/darrensmithofficial?igsh=MXJ4b3M4MGYwMjdpcQ==

Timestamps:

0:00-11:29 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions

11:29-31:35 - Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa and developing a love for track and soccer

31:25-54:28 - The Controversy behind Darren Signing his first professional contract

54:28-1:11:33 - Struggling to get minutes in the PSL and trying to find a coach that believes in him

1:11:33-1:18:34 - Being told to pursue a different career by the CEO of a professional football club

1:18:33-1:58:55 - Finding success on and off the field in Finland

1:58:55-2:13:38 - Playing in Morocco and then heading back to Finland

2:13:28-2:31:00 - Settling into Detroit and the USL as well as Three Final Questions

Big thanks to J-Boogie for coming on the podcast! You can follow him on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jaychaps/?hl=en

Timestamps: 0:00-8:19 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions

8:19-19:28 - Growing up in outside of Toronto

19:28-35:18 - Canada Youth National Team and Early Pro Trials

35:18-47:31 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Michigan State

47:31-57:52 - Signing an MLS Homegrown Contract with Toronto FC

57:52-1:09:54 - Playing for Inter Miami FC

1:09:54-1:19:40 - Jay's experience with the Canadian National Team

1:19:40-1:33:48 - Signing to play overseas for Dundee FC

1:33:48-1:43:21 - Going 6 months as a Free Agent before Signing with Colorado Switchbacks

1:43:21-1:51:48 - Signing with Hartford Athletic and loaned out to Charleston Battery

1:51:48-2:03:47 - First impressions with Detroit City FC

2:03:47-2:10:16 - Final Questions and Outro

Big thank you to Jeciel Cedeño for hopping on this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast! Be sure to follow Jeciel below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jecielcedeno/?hl=en

Timestamps:

0:00-8:33 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions

8:33-30:00 - Playing Street Football in Guayaquil, Ecuador

30:00-38:28 - Moving to New Jersey, but Struggling to Find a Team

38:28-47:20 - Bouncing Around Different Youth Teams in New Jersey

47:20-52:57 - Moving Back to Ecuador to Join a Football Academy

52:57-1:02:52 - Signing an Academy Contract with NY Red Bulls 2

1:02:52-1:09:18 - Facing Rejection by NY Red Bulls 2

1:09:18-1:34:41 - Entering the Real World. Working 9 to 5 Jobs to Get By...

1:34:41-1:44:40 - Signing His First Professional Contract with Hartford Athletic

1:44:40-1:50:50 - Being Traded Twice in Two Years (Hartford to Oakland, Oakland to Detroit)

1:50:50-1:56:52 - Final Three Questions

Big thanks to Victor Bezerra for hopping on this week's episode! Vic's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbezerra7/?hl=en

Timestamps:

0:00-11:04 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions

11:04-25:06 - Growing Up in Downtown Chicago

25:06-33:09 - Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Chicago Fire as a Teenager

33:09-40:04 - Taking a Gap Year to just Train with Chicago Fire First Team

40:04-1:04:57 - Attending Indiana University and Transitioning to College Soccer

1:04:57-1:18:17 - Signing a Homegrown Contract with Chicago Fire

1:18:17-1:28:45 - Heading out on Loan to Detroit City FC

1:28:45-1:40:25 - Final Questions and Outro

Big thanks to Michael for hopping on this episode of the podcast! You can follow Michael on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mbryant12/?hl=en

Timestamps:

0:00-10:45 - Rapid Fire Questions

10:45-24:53 - Growing up in Portola Hills, California

24:53-39:23 - Playing D3 at Elmira College in New York

39:23-50:45 - Transferring to Northwest Nazarene

50:45-1:13:31 - Dropping out of College and playing for Orange County FC (NPSL)

1:13:31-1:20:47 - Signing First Professional Contract with Cal United Strikers in NISA

1:20:47-1:53:43 - Climbing up to the USL Championship and signing with Detroit City FC

1:53:43-1:58:01 - Final Questions

Big thanks to Brett Levis for hopping on today's podcast!

Be sure to follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/brettlevis/?hl=en

Timestamps: 0:00-9:52 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions

9:52-34:24 - Growing up in Saskatoon

34:24-37:57 - Playing at the University of Saskatoon

37:57-50:57 - Signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps

50:57-1:00:33 - Tearing his ACL in his MLS Debut

1:00:33-1:09:21 - Rebounding from Injury and Returning to play with the Whitecaps

1:09:21-1:34:27 - Playing for Valour FC in the Canadian Premier League

1:34:27-1:43:32 - Signing to Play at FC Tulsa, then Traded to Detroit City FC

1:43:32-1:56:20 - Finding his Rhythm at Detroit City FC

1:56:20-2:05:58 - Final Few Questions and Outro