Pro Soccer Talks

Daryl Grove, from Total Soccer Show, talks about scouting talent that is growing in the US with 17-22 year-olds in Bundesliga, EPL and MLS. We talk about the USMNT and what changes Bruce Arena should make to secure a World Cup birth. We talk about defensive mistakes, pressure on Christian Pulisic, Brad Guzan and Tim Howard subs as well as the new rules for closing the transfer window before the season starts.

San Juan Soccer Club and McClatchy Soccer Coach Vaughn Boyce talks about academy player development in the US compared with Bayern Munich. We talk about the "Trophy Culture" of the US" and celebrating participation rather than encouraging winning in our youngest players. We talk about USMNT and how a development coach would change up Bruce Arena's 11 men or alter the roster of the US national Team. Players in question are Omar Gonzales, Tim Howard and Christian Pulisic.

Amobi Okugo, of the Portland Timbers, explains financial literacy and how he helps young, pro athletes to financially plan for themselves. Athletes that have come into a lot of money at a young age have had problems saving and planning for their eventual retirement. Amobi Okugo, plans ahead and has a resource, www.afrugalathlete.com that helps ballers plan for their future and avoid being broke later. He talks about Sacramento, his soccer journey from the Saint Ignatius Tigers, to UCLA, to the Philadelphia Union in the draft, to the Timbers. He teaches responsibility and financial sustainability for pro athletes and the advice applies to everyone.

Tori Robinson, skier, Soccer player, wife and mom, shares how to recover from injuries. She has had her share of injuries. Ski crashes and athletic mishaps have put her in the doctor office more than a few times. She shares her story of recovery and how to raise a sporting family. Tori was a cancer survivalist and recently, her battle came to an end. We love her and will miss her terribly. We will continue to learn from her and enjoy her company.

We Talk with Coach Buckle of Sacramento Republic about making tactical decisions and signing new players, postgame, V Whitecaps 2. We speak with Harvie Miller, an academy coach from England, in Elk Grove, about the development of players and the MLS league as a whole with improvement and expansion. Contributing players are Hayden Partain with his first minutes as a professional, Elliot Hord, Right Back for Sac Republic, Wilson Kneeshaw, attacking midfielder and Tyler Blackwood, Right Midfield  for Sac Republic. We talk about mentality, going into the second half of the season, aiming at a playoff spot.

James Kiffe, left back for the Sacramento Republic FC, with the killer left foot, tells his soccer story from his earliest years, to getting drafted, to playing pro and having the most minutes on the team. James tells about how to raise your game from being in the pack, to being the go-to-guy that a coach, an agent or scout for a pro team calls on. He talks fitness, food, work-rate and surfing with a few recommendations for music. Sacramento Republic FC at the time of this interview, is near the top of the table, beats the Whitecaps 2 and is coming into the second half of the season, facing Reno 1868 FC and Swope Park Rangers in the USL Pro League.

We talk with Dominik Jakubek, Jeremy Hall, Dave McCreary, Hayden Partain and Pat McIntosh about Sacramento Republic FC's humble beginnings with 20 thousand sell-out games at Hughes Stadium. We talk at Rubicon Brewery over frosty pints. Dominik talks about Rodrigo Lopez, Emrah Klimenta, Tommy Stewart, Ivan Mircovich, Octavio Guzman and the MLS expansion bid. He gives his opinion on players and recalls on his near-death experiences. We talk about what it is like playing in friendlies with bigger clubs and have a hilarious time.

We Talk with Dominik Jakubek, Jeremy Hall, Hayden Partain, Dave McCreary and Pat McIntosh about training for and learning from big friendly matches. Pachuca, Newcastle, Chivas, West Brom, Arsenal... they all provide opportunities for players and clubs to showcase themselves. What can you do as a player to prepare for them and get the most learning and positive experience from them?

 Tommy Thompson, Derek Foran and Coach Preki Talk about Soccer Mindset. They talk about their thinking and actions on and off the field including avoiding and recovering from injury. Coach Preki talks about establishing the standards of effort and play that players rise up to. Pro soccer players are people and people rise up to see the expectations that they are given. As a Soccer coach, you can create a winning team by giving out expectations and standing firm.

We reflect back at Levis Stadium's opening day with Earthquakes V Sounders. Chris Wandolowski, Clint Dempsey and Deandre Yedlin share their experiences with the National team, An Earthquakes win sets the stage for a great opening for the new Levis Stadium. Clint Dempsey talks about execution and capitalizing on opportunities for the club and for him on the field.