Join Chat By The Pitch for Part 1 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, defender for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. Sam takes us through his journey from playing AYSO in Santa Barbara to competing in Japan, rising through Bay Area clubs, and becoming a standout at UC Berkeley. He opens up about the challenges of balancing academics with soccer, navigating the MLS draft, and breaking into the league with Houston Dynamo. Sam also reflects on the unique experience of playing through the COVID-19 bubble and shares how pickup soccer and adaptability shaped his game. Packed with insights for parents, players, and fans, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of chasing a professional soccer dream.

Key Talking Points

• Growing up in Santa Barbara and discovering soccer through family

• Playing in Japan and the discipline of youth soccer abroad

• The role of pickup play and guesting with teams in development

• Journey through De Anza Force, San Jose Earthquakes, and academy soccer

• College years at UC Berkeley, balancing economics and athletics

• The whirlwind of MLS combines and draft day with Houston Dynamo

• Adapting to the unique challenges of MLS contracts and rights

• Surviving the COVID-19 bubble and its impact on his career

Tune In to Learn

How Sam Junqua turned backyard ball, discipline, and resilience into an MLS career while navigating the challenges of contracts, transitions, and the grind of professional soccer.

Quotes from Sam Junqua

• “I knew I wanted to play professionally when I was 11 or 12 years old—I just didn’t know the path yet.”

• “I was always kicking the ball in the backyard, even when my parents got mad at me for breaking things.”

• “Watching Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo on YouTube made me fall in love with the game.”

• “Guest playing and adapting to new teams helped me learn how to adjust in any environment.”

• “Academics never came before soccer, but I made sure they never got in the way of soccer.”

• “Going through the MLS Combine felt like an open tryout—you had to adapt fast.”

• “Being the last player invited to the MLS Combine changed the trajectory of my career.”

• “The draft was a whirlwind; I didn’t even know I’d be picked until the morning of.”

• “The bubble during COVID was strange but gave me the mental reset I needed.”

• “Structure is important, but kids still need freedom to just play the game.”

📲 Connect with Sam Junqua

📷 Instagram: @sjunqua Instagram+1

🐦 X (Twitter): @SJunqua X (formerly Twitter)

🌐 Website / Player Profile: RSL.com – Sam Junqua

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Mentioned in this episode:

TeamPlayr

Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast.

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