Blueprint Soccer Conversations with Clint

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Columbus Crew, Nyköpongs BIS, and GIF Sundsvall winger, currently signed with Malmö FF the biggest club in Sweden and on loan with Örebro SK - Romain Gall.

We discuss some early highs and lows in his career from signing a professional contract at 19 and being released a year later and then signing in the 3rd Tier in Sweden and what life is like in a foreign country. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former, US Youth National Team player who competed in the 2009 U-17 World Cup, A top 5 recruit in the High School class of 2011, he was a student-athlete at the University of Maryland and captained the team his senior year winning the BIG 10 tournament, drafted by Chicago Fire and played for Arizona United in the USL, former assistant coach at Army and current assistant coach at Temple University - Alex Shinsky. We discuss the opportunities he had after the U17 World Cup and why he chose the University of Maryland. Some misconceptions about the college recruitment process and what a team of the combined military academies (Army, Navy & Air Force) would look like. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - 2005 All-American at the University of Akron, former professional soccer player for Rennes in France, Winner of the French Cup, current professor at Northern Kentucky University, has earned his Ph.d in Organizational Behavior and is founder of Hive Skills IQ - Dr. Yohann Mauger. We discuss communication, his player and coach assessment and how to aid in player/ coach relations. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - one of the youngest players to ever sign a professional contract in Major League Soccer with D.C. United at 16 years old, former player with the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bull and the United States National team - 2004 MLS Cup Champion and 2005 Gold Cup Champion current Founder and Technial Director of Pipeline Soccer Club - Santino Quaranta

We discuss Santino growing up in Maryland and some of his early experiences in the game. Signing a professional contract at 16 years old, and his transition as a professional. We also discuss player development and challenging players.

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - former NCAA National Champion with the Akron Zips, 4th overall draft pick in 2011 by Chivas USA, former defender with Montral Impact, FK Bodø/Glimt in Norway, and Portland Timbers - now playing with Houston Dynamo - Zarek Valentin. We discuss growing up in rural central Pennsylvania and how he earned opportunities for exposure, the decision to attend The University of Akron and why he left school early. His transition as a student-athlete to a professional and life in Norway. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - United Soccer League appearance leader, 2014 USL All League - First Team - former, Dayton Dutch Lions, Los Angeles Blues and Richmond Kickers, currently with Louisville City FC where he won USL Championships in 2017 & 2018 - George Davis IV

We discuss the growth of the league, opportunities for players, how to make a successful transition into the league and what it was like being a player manager. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former New York Gatorade Player of the Year, St. John’s University Alumni, former Vancouver Whitecaps defender - currently with New York Red Bull - Tim Parker. We discuss what mentality means, demands in college, establishing himself as a professional and what makes a good center back partnership and how to develop that relationship. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by Columbia University graduate - Ivy League offensive player of the year, former player with FC Eintracht Bamberg in the 4th tier of Bavarian Football Association, 2016 USL Champion with New York Red Bull 2, former Tampa Bay Rowdies, currently playing with New Mexico United and representing the Afganistan National Team - David Najem.

We discuss player development and longevity in a top academy, attending Columbia University, what’s life like in lower tiers in Europe and recovering from Injury. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by New York native, former Chivas USA and New York City FC player and current midfielder for the Houston Dynamo - Tommy McNamara.

On this episode of the podcast we discuss Tommy’s decision to pursue college even with holding an Irish passport and not pushing to head overseas to a professional team. Struggles in his first year as a professional in Major League Soccer and what he learned from Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo. I really enjoyed this episode and I hope you do too, so much valuable information. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by a member of the 2010 University of Akron National Championship Team and was named as the NCAA Tournmanent most outstanding player, 2012 First Team All-American, and has appeared in over 200 games for the New England Revolution - Scott Caldwell.

We discuss Scott’s upbringing in the youth soccer landscape, how to focus on your strengths as a player and not dwell on the weaknesses and what players need to focus on when transitioning to the next level and scoring a goal in a big time game.