Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban sit down with Mike McNeill, President & GM of the San Francisco Glens' USL League Two and USL W League teams and Executive Director of the Glens Academy. Mike shares how a community club founded in 1961 evolved into one of the Bay Area's most ambitious soccer pipelines-from youth development to pre-pro opportunities.

They dig into what it takes to build a true club culture in a crowded youth-soccer landscape, why field access and geography shape development in the U.S., and how projects like Treasure Island can create more space for players to fall in love with the game-especially with 2026 on the horizon.

🎙 Guest

• Mike McNeill is President & General Manager of the San Francisco Glens' USL League Two and USL W League teams and Executive Director of the SF Glens Academy.

• Background: Grew up playing in Modesto, transitioned from player to coach after college, and has been building the Glens since 2011.

• Coaching: Holds UEFA licensing through the FA of Ireland and advanced coaching credentials; coached at University of San Francisco and San Francisco State.

• Mission: Build community-first pathways in San Francisco-from grassroots soccer to college, USL, and beyond.

⏱ Episode Highlights

• [00:00:31] Meet Mike McNeill and the Glens vision: a pathway from grassroots to MLS Next and USL.

• [00:04:05] From the field to the goal: how Mike became a goalkeeper-and what he learned from it.

• [00:08:45] How youth soccer changed: from ODP/state cups to MLS Next, ECNL, and a more fragmented (but higher-level) landscape.

• [00:11:46] The transition from player to coach: injuries, opportunity, and getting pulled into the Glens project.

• [00:16:11] The Glens origin story: leveraging a historic name (1961) while building a new youth club from scratch.

• [00:19:55] Why Treasure Island matters: field scarcity in SF and building a home for the community.

• [00:27:58] Building a pre-pro pathway: USL League Two/W League growth, pro signings, and local pride.

• [00:34:02] Bay Area momentum: how nearby pro teams and facilities can raise the tide for everyone.

• [00:42:54] If Mike had a magic wand: aligning leagues, funding standards, and regional development centers.

• [00:47:28] What 2026 could unlock: participation growth, pro shifts, and the next wave of soccer culture.

• [00:51:01] Community-first World Cup plans: free clinics and programming to welcome new players.

⚽ Why This Conversation Matters

From field access to league structure to community identity, Episode 22 is a blueprint for how local clubs can shape the future of the sport. Mike McNeill breaks down the practical realities behind building a sustainable pathway-while keeping the joy and belonging that make soccer stick for life.

🔗 Connect with Us

• Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong

• Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban

• San Francisco Glens –www.sfglens.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices