Performance Level Podcast

This interview with Justin Flack focuses specifically on a project he took on with his old club, Fusion Soccer Club where he developed a Player Development tracking tool to track their performance over time in 4 key principles. Justin talks with us about his motivation for this project and the disconnect there was between what club's preached about their environments vs. the reality. Justin also delves into his own needs based philosophy and how he engages parents to improve understanding of the development process.

Fernando Alva delves into the world of video analysis and talks about his plethora of experiences in this area. Fernando talks about his experience developing his very own video analysis department at the US Development Academy club (and now MLS Next) Boca United/ South Florida Football Academy. Fernando then goes into his development as a coach and video analyst through an internship at DC United and then at roles with RGVFC (USL Championship) and the NY Red Bulls (MLS). This episode will be insightful for any coach looking to incorporate video more into their own coaching and also gives some tips on how to develop as a video analyst and the future of the role in the professional game.

Matt Gordon joins us in this episode of the Coach Ed podcast to discuss all things coaching education and coach development. Matt discusses his experience going through the coaching license process and how it has evolved since that time. We jumped into a great conversation around the use of methodology in coaching and how coaching can use and develop their own coaching toolkit during the process of developing as a coach. What really stuck out to me in this episode, was the deliberate nature that Matt uses in his own coaching and within the coach education process. For anyone going through their coaching licenses with U.S Soccer, we have some golden nuggets about the future of coach education too!

This podcast was another one recorded back in mid 2021, where I sat down with Anthony Latronica. Anthony goes into his past experiences in coaching that led him from coaching at Harvard University to Oregon State and then entering the well documented US Soccer Youth residency program as an assistant coach for the U17 National Team. Anthony talks about his background as a coach, as a youth national team scout and as a recruiter at the collegiate level. Not one to be missed, 'My Legacy is your legacy' delves into the art of coach and player development and the work ethic it takes to make it in the competitive world of soccer.

This episode was recorded back in June 2021, when Ewan Sharp had just moved to MLS first team, Toronto FC. Ewan talked about his journey from Stirling, Scotland getting a scholarship to play at Mercyhurst University and then his experiences which led into video analysis and coaching at the collegiate level and now the professional game. Since the interview, Ewan has moved to even bigger and better things, having worked with Lokomotiv Moscow and then moving to Manchester United as part of Ralf Rangnick's staff in his brief stint at Old Trafford. Now at Leeds United with Jesse Marsch, this interview sheds light on the commitment and confidence Ewan needed to pursue a career in coaching. We will be keeping track of Ewan's progress and hope to get a Part 2 set up with him in the future! Keep track of Ewan's progress by following him on Twitter @EwanSharp.

Scott McKenzie talks about his journey of development in coaching and delves into his experience as a youth coach, Academy Director, coach educator and USL Head Coach. Scott talks about how he has had to constantly adapt to new roles during his career, most recently while taking the leap from youth soccer to the innovative Academy set up at Park City Red Wolves with their relationship with the Chattanooga Red Wolves. Scott talk about his growth mindset and the ability to stay open to learning and having a culture of open communication within his role at the club. Tons of golden nuggets in this one that you'll take away! 

In this episode, assistant coach at the University of South Florida, Jeremy Hurdle talks about the potential changes of the College game and how it might affect player development in the pre professional phase in the future. He gives some great advice for coaches looking to get into the College game, as well as some golden nuggets for players looking to get recruited. Last, but not least, Jeremy goes into the process of creating a culture of ownership in college. Follow Jeremy at @jeremyhurdle and USF Mens Soccer @USFMSOC. 

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Liam O' Connell to talk about the current landscape of youth soccer in the United States. Liam goes into the plans of USL; we share some background on USL's new league structure and how they seek to revolutionize youth soccer in the United States. For anyone interested in the future of youth soccer in this country, coaches wanting to know more about club development, developing a youth network or providing real vertical integration within a club, this is one is not one to be missed!