In Part 2 of our brutally honest series, Jason Carney returns to tackle what youth soccer should be built on: culture, character, and purpose. We dive deep into the concept of servant leadership, the myth of league labels, and how most clubs miss the mark on development by faking culture instead of building it.

Jason shares how he’s implemented real accountability and authenticity at FC Portland—and how it's resonating with players, parents, and coaches. If you’ve ever asked “What’s the point of all this?”—this episode is your answer.

🔑 Key Talking Points:

• Servant leadership in youth soccer: What it really means

• Creating a club culture beyond the scoreboard

• Why “pre-ECNL” and league labels are marketing gimmicks

• How to identify authentic clubs (and spot the fakes)

• The importance of failure in shaping player character

• Jason’s 3-question test for every athlete—and his own kids

• The difference between dreams and your “why”

• Why U.S. Soccer’s top-down system is failing the grassroots

• Coaching the third and fourth teams—on purpose

• The link between culture and long-term happiness in sport

🎧 Tune In to Learn:

• How to spot a club that's doing more than taking your money

• What real player development accountability looks like

• Why leadership should always start with “What can I do for you?”

• The key difference between being a servant leader and just “nice”

• How failure builds resilience—and reveals true character

🔥 Quotes from Jason Carney:

"Effort and character still matter. We just don’t talk about them enough in youth sports."

"You can play terribly and still win. That’s not development."

"Do the right thing—it’s written on our high school practice jerseys."

"You can't fake culture. People will see through it."

"Most kids don’t love the game—they love the idea of what it might get them."

"We’ve got clubs putting ‘pre-ECNL’ on 10-year-olds who’ll never even sniff ECNL."

"I’d rather coach the third and fourth team than have people think we’re just taking money."

"Parents chase leagues like status symbols, not player development."

"Authenticity disappears when your why is just ‘win or go pro.’"

"My job would be easier if US Soccer took a servant leadership approach."

🤝 Connect with Jason Carney:

• Website: www.FCPortland.org

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-carney-56876636

• Book: US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper S**t on Grass → Amazon

📲 Follow Chat By The Pitch:

• X: @ChatByThePitch

• Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

• Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: It helps other parents find the show—and grow the soccer culture we all want to see.