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

Matt Langone is joined by NESJ writer Matt Doherty to discuss important upcoming dates in the New England club soccer scene. They highlight significant events such as the Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID in New Jersey, the MLS Next Flex event in Maryland, and the ECNL showcases and playoffs. The hosts delve into how these events provide vital exposure for players, help with college recruiting, and represent a pivotal part of the soccer calendar. Additionally, the crew has fun creating and casting hypothetical soccer movies.

Topics

00:56 Spring Club Soccer Calendar Highlights

02:52 Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID Event

04:29 MLS Next Flex Event Overview

08:08 ECNL Girls and Boys Upcoming Events

14:51 Extra Time: Creating Soccer Movies

17:44 Casting Choices for Jade and Coach Terry

18:33 Debating Theme Songs for the Movie

19:07 Plot and Casting for the World Cup Thriller

23:06 Plot and Casting for the Comedy Movie

26:57 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The guest is Oakwood Soccer Club Girls Academy Director Marisa Kresge. She covers Oakwood's strong performances in the Jefferson Cup, Marisa's transition from college coaching to club directing, and the challenges she faced in her first year. The conversation covers the importance of consistent communication, individual player development, and strategic plans for Oakwood's future. They also delve into broader topics in women's soccer, including the impact of NIL and transfer portal on college soccer, the distinctions between coaching at college and youth levels, and the benefits of the Girls Academy platform. The episode concludes with a fun 'Would You Rather' segment focused on soccer scenarios.

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:31 Guest Introduction: Marisa Kresge

00:53 Oakwood Soccer Club's Recent Success

01:45 Marisa's First Year at Oakwood

03:02 Coaching Philosophy and Communication

04:29 Transition from College to Youth Soccer

06:15 Differences Between College and Youth Coaching

08:03 Marisa's Playing Background and Credibility

13:29 Challenges in College Soccer and Recruiting

20:53 Balancing Academics and Athletics in the Big 10

21:24 NIL Deals in Women's Soccer

22:40 Oakwood Soccer Club's Progress and Goals

26:34 Extra Time: Fun and Goofy Soccer Questions

34:07 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Matt Langone is joined by NESJ reporter Matt Doherty to discuss the current state of college soccer recruitment, focusing on the class of 2025. They explore the slow pace of commitments due to a multitude of factors including the rise of multiple leagues, the impact of COVID-19, the transfer portal, and the influx of international players. They also delve into how these factors are affecting high school, prep school, and Division III recruiting landscapes. The episode concludes with a segment on potential rule changes in soccer, sparking lively debates.

Topics

00:53 Recruitment Challenges in 2025

03:39 Impact of the Transfer Portal

10:27 Division 3 Soccer's Rise

19:54 Advice for High School Players

23:34 Extra Time: Soccer Innovations

31:14 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by NESJ writer Matt Doherty and New England Revolution Academy coach Abel Wasswa. Abel discusses his new role as the U14 coach for the academy, sharing his objectives, learning experiences, and the differences between coaching college and younger players. He emphasizes the importance of game intelligence, individual duels, and a positive coaching environment. Abel also details his participation in the Elite Formation Coaching License program with the French Federation. The episode concludes with a fun 'Extra Time' segment featuring potential rule changes in soccer.

Topics

01:21 Coaching Philosophy and Objectives

02:17 Transition from College to Academy Coaching

05:02 Coaching Younger Players: Challenges and Strategies

08:04 Influences and Inspirations in Coaching

12:31 Creating a Positive Coaching Environment

16:11 Player Development and Tactical Mastery

22:32 Personal Playing Experience and Coaching Impact

25:54 Elite Formation Coaching License Program

26:36 Introduction to the 18-Month Course

28:13 Course Structure and In-Person Meetings

29:14 Observations and Assignments

30:10 Final Evaluation and Conclusion

30:37 Overtime Session: Zany Soccer Questions

31:30 Sin Bin for Yellow Cards

35:22 Kick-Ins Instead of Throw-Ins

39:09 Multi-Ball Chaos Mode

43:19 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The guest is Amherst College senior Niall Murphy. Murphy reflects on his crucial role in leading Amherst to a national championship in 2024 and discusses the team’s journey starting from their loss in the 2023 national title game. He shares insights on the competitive nature of NESCAC soccer, the significance of his leadership, and the personal milestones of overcoming injuries and adapting to new positions. Murphy also opens up about his academic path in computer science and his upcoming career in finance while balancing his passion for soccer.

Topics

00:34 Meet Niall Murphy: Amherst College Soccer Star

00:57 The Journey to the National Championship

02:16 Facing Rivals and Overcoming Challenges

03:44 Personal Reflections and Experiences

13:00 High School Days and Recruitment Challenges

19:00 Life After College Soccer

20:29 Extra Time: Fun and Unexpected Questions

26:03 Conclusion and Farewell

Matt Langone is joined by colleague Matt Doherty, who reports on the ECNL Girls' Winter Showcase in Florida. Despite battling a virus, Doherty shares his observations on the competitive matches, standout teams, and the significant presence of college coaches scouting talent. They discuss the promising performances from New England clubs including FC Stars, South Shore Select, and Scorpions SC, and how the showcase serves as a prelude to the upcoming spring season. The episode wraps up with a fun segment of Extra Time, where they analyze famous soccer quotes.

Topics

01:29 Discussion on ECNL Florida Winter Showcase

02:53 College Coaches and Competitive Atmosphere

10:10 Comparing ECNL and MLS Next Fest

13:33 Teams to Watch in the Spring Season

20:14 Dining Experiences in Florida

21:34 Spring Soccer Coverage Preview

21:46 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions

34:22 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Host Matt Langone and co-host Matt Doherty discuss the top five soccer stories to watch in 2025. They start by highlighting the University of Vermont's 2024 national championship win and debating the team's chances for a repeat. They then move on to the budding rivalry between FC Stars and South Shore Select in ECNL Girls, followed by a deep dive into the upcoming MLS Next Flex event and the New England clubs to watch. The pair also explore the ongoing parity in boys' prep school soccer, questioning whether Taft can repeat as champions. Finally, they address the changing landscape of recruiting post-COVID, anticipating an uptick in player commitments. The episode concludes with personal reflections on the challenges and goals for the new year in soccer journalism.

Topics

02:13 Vermont's Historic National Championship

07:24 South Shore Select Joins ECNL Girls

10:43 MLS Next and Playoffs Preview

15:23 Boys Prep Soccer Parity

18:49 Milton vs. Taft: A High School Soccer Showdown

19:35 The Challenge of Repeating Championships

20:49 Impact of COVID on College Recruiting

22:17 Recruiting Trends and Delays

24:11 The Future of Soccer Recruiting

25:44 Top Five Soccer Stories Recap

26:27 Extra Time: Soccer Insights and Predictions