Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

Mike, Jake, and Jimmy are back this week to give you club updates, Prem Predictions and some Delicious Rants. Come hang with us.

The lads get back together to talk about the Bobcats' brilliance over the course of the season in the midst of the ineptitude of other clubs in NISA. We talk about the season thus far and beg Bobcats faithful to come out and support the club.

Jake and Jim return to bring us news from the world of Soccer. The fellas talk big storylines from Euro 2024, Copa 2024, USMNT and Canadian Successes, and Prem Transfer silly szn. Enjoy.

The lads talk recent results, game day experience, and muse about lower league soccer for a full hour.

After spending a season with Tormenta FC in USL-League 1, Davey Mason returns to the Bobcats for another season and joins the podcast to talk about his Soccer journey thus far. We chat about his experience with the Bobcats initially, the trialist process with Tormenta, his return back to Maryland, his youth playing experience, love of Chelsea (boo!), and the recent game with the Michigan Stars. Nice to have him back flying up the left side!

New Bobcat, Cameron McDonald joins the podcast to talk about his Soccer journey and how he became a Maryland Bobcat this year. Cameron, originally from Florida, played collegiate soccer at Barry University and was part of NC Fusion's USL-L2 squad in the offseason. 

He's looking for an opportunity to break into the Bobcats Midfield in the #10 role but has experience on the wing and as a wingback. He also talks through the tryout process in the offseason and landing his first professional roster spot.

Luis Almeida - one of the Bobcats new starting Center Backs - joins us after a season spent with Albion San Diego of NISA. Born in Takoma Park and raised in Olney (shoutout Magruder High School), Luis is back to his roots here with the Bobcats

Luis is a big dude at 6'4" and brings talent and experience to the Bobcats' back line. He's had a fascinating journey since leaving Magruder, spending a few years in Spain and in Mallorca (looks gorgeous) before landing with Albion San Diego. We talk about his journey, then find out which teams he follows personally, his favorite Center Backs, and some of his favorite soccer memories.

Manny Gonzalez is back in his 3rd season for the Maryland Bobcats. Manny has been in the professional game in the US for a while at this point. Manny has played professionally in the NASL, USL-Championship, and NISA and brings us through his journey from South Florida to Maryland. We also talk about some a fun Open Cup run where Manny talks about his club taking down 2 MLS sides on a deep run. 

Manny is an essential part of the Bobcats project and brings professionalism as a seasoned veteran and has the unique ability to be a deep lying playmaker with the club. 

Elijah is a baller on the Right Wing for the Bobcats. After 4 years at Louisville (including an ACC Championship) he was drafted 34th overall by Real Salt Lake. Then he landed at Bobcats, scored a bunch and looked dynamic on the right wing and earned a spot with Davey Fuckin' Mason at South Georgia Tormenta in USL-L1 for a season. Now he's back on the club after the Gaffer visited him this offseason and convinced him to re-join the project. It also helps that he now gets to live close to home and represent his home state as a Silver Spring native.

We have a fun soccer conversation that covers local Maryland Youth Soccer, the College recruiting proess and playing experience, and some of the hurdles that come along with being a professional soccer player. Then we recap the Open Cup quickly and look forward to an awesome match-up in Richmond against the Kickers for the next round. Can we dream a dream and make it through another round?

We're excited to have returning midfielder and Bobcats' marketing man, Abdul "Dook" Kooistra back on the podcast to talk about his soccer journey and the upcoming season with the Maryland Bobcats.