Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

The more I talk about soccer, the more I want to talk about soccer.

Every soccer journey in America is different and they're all interesting to me. But I had a particularly fun time talking with Craig about his personal soccer journey. Craig moved to the US from England in the early 1990s, when he was about 10 years old. His dad was a diehard Aston Villa supporter (and they lived very close to Villa Park), so by indoctrination, Craig continues the tradition from the Metro Detroit area. 

As a young soccer player, Craig was always the fastest person on the field. He played for the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club from ages 13-18 while simultaneously playing high school soccer. He then had the opportunity to take his talents to Michigan State to play four years at the Division 1 level. We talk a little bit about the level of quality in NCAA Division 1 back in 2003. This was before lower league soccer had begun to emerge so Division 1 soccer at that time meant that you made it. Craig played Striker in a 4-4-2 and as most of us do in college, had the time of his life (although I'd argue he probably had more fun playing than I did learning how to shotgun beers, but I digress). 

After college, with Professional soccer being what it was in the US in the early 2000s, Craig had to get real job (bummer). He lived like the rest of us for a few years until a contact from a newly formed club club, Detroit City Football Club, told him that he should come and try out for the squad. On the wrong side of 30, he managed to not only make the team but become a regular starter. It was the beginning of the Northern Guard Supporter's Club, and the beginning of what DCFC now represents today. How cool was it to be a part of that?

Craig now hosts his own soccer show, We Are Soccer, and has a great following. He also has had the opportunity to interview Kellyn Acosta and Rebecca Lowe and puts on a live show every Saturday morning from 8am-9am. Go check it out!

We were so excited to have Alex Kao on the show. Alex has had an amazing soccer journey. 

He was born in Togo on Africa's West Coast and lived there until he was 9. Then he moved to France and joined the Red Star 93 academy around age 12. After that, he was recruited by Paris FC and joined their academy until it was time to make a tough decision about his career. Life led him to be recruited by a few Division 1 programs in the US and circumstance had him land in Louisburg College in North Carolina for 2 years before heading to the University of Connecticut to finish his collegiate career. From there, Alex turned pro with the Philadelphia Fury (after a stop at the DC United academy) and finally has landed back close to home with the Maryland Bobcats.

Alex brings an interesting perspective to the American soccer landscape as an Academy Product of France. We chat about his personal soccer journey, his view on youth Soccer in America, what it takes to be a Professional, and more. Fun chat. Hope you enjoy it! 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Adam Gotkin, who is currently a Senior at Quince Orchard High School, and is the voice of the Maryland Bobcats. Adam has known that he has wanted to be in Sports Broadcasting/Journalism since he was a young child. At such a young age, he already has experience starting his own High School Sports broadcasting network (Quince Orchard Sports Network), calling games for the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League team in Gaithersburg (the Giants), and with the Maryland Bobcats FC.

Adam is off to Syracuse next year to continue his pursuit of that dream. 

We talk about his preparation as a broadcaster, how he got involved with the Maryland Bobcats, his Twitter friendship with the infamous Arlo White, and then dive into NISA and USMNT a bit. 

The trifecta is back, baby! The boys getting into everything we've missed since we last chatted soccer. I also predict West Ham regressing to the mean and then they go out and beat Chelsea.

I caught up with Alex, the fearless leader of The Old Bae Brigade, which is the Supporters Group for the Maryland Bobcats of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).

Alex and I talk through the problems with Soccer in the United States, USMNT, lower league soccer, Detroit City's acrimonious split with NISA, the lack of support at the Soccerplex for the Bobcats, building a soccer audience, the Bobcats, and more.

Hope to see you all out at a future Cats game. 

The holy trinity returns in this glorious episode of Rooster and the Villain. We talk mostly Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa but pepper in a little bit of everything from the Prem. Enjoy!

The Rooster and the Villain are back at it. Discussing Euro 2020 because it's been epic. We also delve into MLS, NISA Independent Cup, Gold Cup, Copa, Tottenham and Villa, and more. Fun little convo.

Rooster and the Devil is dead. And from the ashes rises a new beast. Join us as we talk about soccer.

Support local extends to the soccer world during the pandemic. We last caught up with Evan Raimist, GM and Director of Operations for the Maryland Bobcats back in February of 2020. Covid-19 was a thing but it wasn't quite THE thing. 

But even with Covid dominating the world, the Maryland Bobcats have managed to have an incredible year and continue to create some buzz in the Montgomery County, Maryland area.

Evan comes on to talk about their world class kits, their development academy, the Maryland Soccerplex, joining the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), and of course, a bit of Everton.

Jimmy and Mike whip around to discuss Europa League, Champions League, Premier League, and USMNT's many players in Europe. Fun conversation. Come be our Friend.