In this episode, hosts Dan Stratford (Danny) and Zico sit down with Esse Baharmast — a true legend in the world of soccer refereeing. Known affectionately as “Esse”, he’s not just any referee. Esse has officiated multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, and even the first-ever MLS match and MLS Championship game. 🇺🇸⚽🌍

From his early days growing up in Missouri to his deep passion for Brazilian soccer, Esse’s story is filled with inspiration, insight, and behind-the-scenes moments from some of the most memorable matches in soccer history.

Now based in Colorado, Esse continues to give back to the game — mentoring referees around the world and helping develop the next generation of officials right here in the U.S.

💬 In this episode, we cover:

• Esse’s journey from player to world-class referee

• What it was like to officiate at the FIFA World Cup

• Stories from the first MLS game and championship

• How refereeing has evolved over the years

• His passion for mentoring and developing referees globally

🎧 Whether you’re a player, coach, or lifelong fan, this conversation will change how you see the game — from the man in the middle’s point of view.

we had, just an amazing interview yesterday and it was our, the first person we've interviewed on our podcastAlan Jones. I didn't realize his pedigree as much as I do now. And after that conversation, IWI, I felt wow, we were so lucky to have him as our first guest, a guest in, Just in general, right? So he was one of the, founding members of British soccer camps, which became challenger sports. he has been inducted to the Kansas Hall of Fame, which if you don't understand Kansas [00:03:00] City and you just think Kansas, you might think Wizard of Oz and all that stuff. but really in, in Kansas City, the powerhouse, a lot of the soccer there is on the Kansas side where I grew up. sadly because it's a more affluent, suburban area. And sadly, that's where it's where we tend to get our soccer players in the United States until people like Ellen Jones who are putting effort into getting into the inner city, overcoming this pay per play type of thing, and helping out kids who can't afford, where we can find talent that just isn't based on, how much money you have, so you can afford to play ECNL, right?So you can afford to play MLS one or what, whatever the case may be. So just an amazing, coach inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame coach Matt Beasley. For the majority of his youth, I would say sounds like from about eight to 16 years old who played for the US National team and the KC Sporting. He also coached Seth Kovich, who, played for the KC Sporting.He was also one of my coaching mentors, even though he is only six years older than me. I was 19 or 20 when I met him. [00:04:00] getting to be taught, licensing programs, by him, getting to play with him on amateur teams and, coach for British soccer camp even in my early twenties, was great.He's a Welshman who came to the States. and his story just does a great job of showing what it was like to be an entrepreneurial soccer coach back in the late eighties and early nineties when a lot of us were trying to figure out how do we make a living and how do we build and grow soccer across the country

Danny
Welcome to the Kick It 3v3 soccer podcast, where soccer fans, coaches, parentsand players get insights into the beautiful game each week. Your hosts, DannyStratford and Brent Zico Ward bring you some of the latest in soccer news,coaching, parenting and conversations with guests who are making an impact intheir local soccer communities or even around the world. So let's kick it! Today,in our inaugural episode, Danny and Zico talk about their soccer backgrounds,how they developed a passion for the game, as well as their insights andpassions in some of the upcoming World cup format changes. Also, we're going todiscuss what team leadership looks like for the national team and soccer teamsin general, as well as provide some youth soccer coaching tips. Now, let's get on with theshow.