Matt Langone and NESJ writer Matt Doherty interview Nico Calabria, the captain of the U.S. Men's National Amputee Soccer Team. Nico shares his journey growing up playing soccer on crutches, his rapid rise in amputee soccer, and his global experiences, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. They discuss the development and challenges of amputee soccer in the U.S., the growth of the sport, and upcoming competitions. The episode also includes a lively extra-time segment with soccer memories and favorite moments.

Topics

00:40 Meet Nico Calabria: Captain of the US Amputee Soccer Team

01:05 Nico's Early Soccer Journey

02:38 Challenges and Triumphs in High School Soccer

04:38 Understanding Amputee Soccer

06:20 Nico's Transition to Amputee Soccer

07:39 Pathway to the National Team

11:09 Building Amputee Soccer in the US

19:15 Climbing Mountains: Nico's Other Adventures

21:43 Future Vision for Amputee Soccer

24:57 Unexpected Moments in Soccer

25:10 Challenges and Aspirations of the Team

26:14 Extra Time with David Yaz

27:13 First Soccer Memories

30:34 Memorable Soccer Chants

32:35 Incredible Soccer Plays

36:50 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Matt Doherty is joined by Matt Langone and Mike Zhe to discuss the upcoming prep soccer season. They delve into both boys' and girls' teams, offering insights on teams to watch, key players, and preseason predictions. They spotlight top contenders like Taft, Berkshire, BB&N, and Suffield while also discussing potential surprise teams. The panel also talks about dynamic matchups, standout players, and the intense nature of the three-game playoff format. Additionally, the hosts answer fun questions in the 'Extra Time' segment and debate the significance of stellar strikers versus goalies. The episode is a comprehensive primer for any soccer enthusiast gearing up for the New England prep soccer season.

Topics

00:49 Prep Soccer Season Preview: Girls' Teams to Watch

02:13 Top Contenders in Girls' Class A Soccer

07:53 Dark Horse Teams and Rising Stars in Girls' Soccer

09:51 Class B Girls' Soccer Powerhouses

10:58 Players to Watch This Fall

12:15 Surprise Teams and Season Dynamics

16:03 Upcoming Matches and Key Events

18:15 Boys' Soccer Season Preview: Top Teams and Players

21:44 Class B Contenders and Movements

23:35 Excitement of the Tournament

25:56 Preseason Storylines and Expectations

28:20 Extra Time: Fun and Games

36:38 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty dive into the onset of the high school soccer season in Massachusetts. They discuss preseason preparations, the excitement surrounding the new season, and top teams to watch out for. They highlight the impact of players leaving for MLS Next and private schools on MIAA Boys' Soccer, and examine powerhouses like St. John's Prep, Newton North, and Oliver Ames, who continue to dominate despite roster turnovers. On the girls' side, they emphasize the competitiveness and depth of talent, mentioning key programs and players expected to make significant impacts. The episode wraps up with an engaging 'Extra Time' segment, where rapid-fire questions cover personal soccer memories, key aspects of the game, and reflections on the evolving landscape of soccer in the U.S.

Topics

00:35 High School Soccer Season Preview

03:00 Impact of MLS Next on High School Soccer

06:28 Exciting High School Soccer Stories

09:57 Teams to Watch in Boys' Soccer

14:34 Girls' High School Soccer Preview

23:52 Extra Time: Rapid Fire Questions

27:40 Reflecting on Memorable Sports Moments

29:16 The Best Soccer Matches We've Seen

30:44 Comparing Soccer Atmospheres to Other Sports

32:10 The Business Side of Soccer

33:12 Misunderstood Rules and Underrated Skills in Soccer

38:26 Will Soccer Overtake Major US Sports?

43:21 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty chat with UMass Men's Soccer Head Coach Fran O'Leary. They discuss the upcoming 2025 season, the success of the 2024 season, the team’s impressive clean sheet record, and the challenge of replacing key player Alec Hughes. The conversation also delves into the importance of recruitment, team leadership, and the move to the highly competitive Summit League. The episode concludes with a fun segment called 'Extra Time' where the guests answer soccer-related questions.

Topics

00:32 Meet the Guest: Fran O'Leary

01:14 UMass Soccer Season Preview

02:40 Challenges and Strategies

04:37 New England Soccer Talent

07:30 Building a Successful Program

09:47 Transition to the Summit League

12:44 Recruitment Insights

15:25 Advice for Incoming Freshmen

17:01 State of Division One Soccer

19:10 Looking Ahead to 2025

20:15 Reflecting on the Season's Philosophy

21:03 Applying Life Lessons from Soccer

21:19 Previewing the Upcoming Season

21:42 Extra Time: Fun and Wild Questions

21:57 Youth Soccer: Positive and Negative Habits

24:41 The Importance of Leadership in Soccer

27:09 Comparing Coaching Roles Across Sports

33:26 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty recap the 2024-25 club soccer season, discussing notable performances, standout players, and key learnings from their coverage. They delve into the success stories of various clubs such as FC Stars, Scorpions, and NEFC, and the competitive landscape of platforms like MLS Next and ECNL. The hosts share their experiences from traveling to showcase events and provide insights into the player development pipeline in New England. The episode concludes with a lighthearted extra time segment where the hosts discuss memorable soccer uniforms and hypothetical memorabilia.

Topics

00:32 Recap of the Club Season

02:02 Highlights from National Showcases

04:33 Standout Teams and Players

07:43 Club Competitiveness and Development

17:46 MLS Next and Player Development

22:39 Beachside's Strong Season and IFA's Impact

23:23 The Rise of MLS Next and ECNL Boys

24:56 The Influence of MLS on Youth Soccer

25:52 Reflecting on the Club Season

28:03 Extra Time: Fun and Games

37:19 Wrapping Up the Episode

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty speak with Greg Glynn, founder of Pliable Marketing, and Charlotte Belanger, a freshman at Maine playing for Maine Women's Soccer. The conversation covers Charlotte's journey into NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals before starting her college career, her motivations, and future aspirations. They discuss the significance of NIL in college sports, particularly for non-revenue generating sports like women's soccer, and the opportunities it provides for athletes to build their brands and create future career opportunities. The podcast also delves into personal experiences, including Greg's commitment to women’s sports inspired by his 13-year-old daughter and Charlotte's experience balancing academics, athletics, and NIL efforts.

Topics

00:48 Charlotte's Journey with Pliable Marketing

02:11 Greg's Perspective on NIL and Women's Sports

03:14 University of Maine and NIL Opportunities

05:57 Aroma Joe's Partnership and Community Ambassador Role

07:59 Choosing University of Maine and Team Culture

10:45 NIL's Future and Athlete Branding

24:22 Social Media's Role in Athlete Recruitment

28:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty are joined by special guest Frank Dell'Apa, a New England Soccer Journal contributor who covers the Revolution for the Boston Globe. The trio discusses the state of U.S. Soccer as the nation prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. They analyze the U.S. team's performance in the last World Cup, expectations for the upcoming tournament, and the potential impact on soccer's growth in the U.S. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson and Patrick Agyemang are highlighted, and the broader implications of hosting the World Cup, including the excitement and challenges it brings, are discussed. Additionally, predictions for likely World Cup contenders and insights into how the event might unfold are provided.

Topics

00:38 Special Guest Introduction: Frank Dell'Apa

01:06 US Soccer's Current State and World Cup Expectations

05:11 Impact of the 1994 World Cup on US Soccer

09:49 Key Players to Watch for US Team in 2026

18:05 Global Soccer Powerhouses and Predictions

23:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Matt Doherty and Matt Langone interview the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Men's Head Soccer Coach Rich Weinrebe. They discuss the complexities of building a college soccer roster, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the transfer portal. The coach shares insights on maintaining team culture amidst high turnover and international recruiting, and elaborates on the changing dynamics of player development and resilience in modern college soccer. They also explore UNH's strategic recruiting efforts, the impact of the transfer portal on team building, and reflections on the success and rivalry within the America East Conference. Additionally, Coach Weinrebe discusses the importance of recruiting local talent, his growth as a young head coach, and the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Special Guest: UNH Men's Head Coach Rich Weinrebe

00:46 Building the 2025 Roster

03:57 Navigating the Transfer Portal

06:21 Challenges and Changes in College Soccer

08:57 UNH's Rise in College Soccer

11:05 Rivalry with Vermont and Conference Dynamics

16:26 Recruiting Local Talent

21:20 Coaching Philosophy and Personal Growth

24:58 The Journey Back to UNH

25:23 Summer Plans and Preparations

26:33 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

27:25 Extra Time: Unfiltered Soccer Opinions

31:05 Memorable Soccer Moments

34:02 Greatest Comebacks in Soccer

39:57 Wrapping Up and Farewell

Matt Langone amd Matt Doherty discuss the impactful work of Project GOAL with its executive director and co-founder, Darius Shirzadi. Founded to support inner-city youth in Rhode Island by combining academic mentoring and soccer, Project GOAL has thrived for over 21 years. Shirzadi shares insights on the challenges and successes of running a free, impactful program that addresses both educational and athletic development. The conversation covers the program's structure, its community impact, partnerships with schools and sports teams, and success stories of alumni. The episode concludes with a fun segment, 'Extra Time,' featuring soccer-related questions.

Topics

00:28 Meet the Guests: Darius Shirzadi and Project Goal

00:55 The Origins and Mission of Project Goal

02:19 Challenges and Community Impact

03:59 Program Structure and Success Stories

07:23 Soccer's Growth in Rhode Island

12:48 Future Aspirations and Expansion

18:30 Extra Time: Fun and Insights

22:05 Tales from the Sidelines

23:06 A Shocking Incident at an AAU Game

24:07 The Escalating Insanity of Youth Sports

25:35 Parental Behavior and Its Impact on Kids

27:35 Misconceptions About Soccer

30:17 The Athleticism Debate

34:01 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The guest is Kelvin Martinez, the newly appointed head coach of Berkshire School Boys Soccer. Martinez discusses his excitement about leading one of the top prep programs in New England, touching upon his coaching philosophy, the talent in his roster, and his strategies for building a dynamic and competitive team. Martinez shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing in Honduras, his soccer journey, and the international influence in prep school soccer. The episode also delves into Martinez's endeavors in establishing a soccer academy in Honduras, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to his community. The show concludes with an engaging 'Extra Time' segment featuring thought-provoking questions about the intricacies and joys of soccer.

Topics

00:33 Meet Kelvin Martinez: New Berkshire School Boys Soccer Head Coach

01:25 Excitement and Expectations for Berkshire Soccer

02:53 Balancing Family and Coaching

04:16 Outdoor Adventures and Family Life

04:36 Berkshire's Soccer Legacy and Future

06:27 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics

11:42 Kelvin's Soccer Journey from Honduras to the US

16:47 Giving Back: Building a Soccer Academy in Honduras

19:34 International Influence in New England Prep Soccer

22:39 Recruiting Talent from Around the World

24:23 Expectations for the 2025 Season

25:42 Extra Time 

26:38 Kelvin's Insight on Soccer's True Essence

29:40 The Challenges of Being a Goalie

33:20 Debunking the Myth: Soccer is Boring

40:11 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell