Soccer Talk presented by Kick It Forward

While the term legend can imply age, it more so implies experience, and that's where Elvir Ibisevic enters the picture. State cup championships and high school honors were only the beginning as Ibisevic left home to train with the U.S. U17 National Team Program in Bradenton, FL. This led to a flurry of soccer adventures and ultimately, stoked his fire to pursue it as a career. Initially playing for University of Nebraska-Omaha and the Des Moines Menace, his efforts landed him a call up and cap with the full Bosnian National Team, Ibisevic signed for NK Celje in the Slovenian first division and then for BSG Chemie Leipzig in Germany. Now, back in the states and playing for Union Omaha of the USL League One, he's ready to make a name for himself. We discuss the challenges of leaving home and what its like to do something you love professionally, plus his dream to someday win the Golden Boot at the KIF Winter Reunion Tournament.

Brian Zwaschka, also known as Big Z, is a bonafide Iowa Soccer Legend. Big Z was a local youth player in the days of the original Dowling club team, coached by fellow legend, Blair Reed in the late '80s. He and Reed teamed up again at Grand View University, where he was an All-American in the early '90s. His soccer travels took him all over the world as a pro player - Scotland, England and France - but we remember him as a dominating midfield presence for the Des Moines Menace when the team was in its first years of existence. His excellent playing career set the stage for a successful coaching career - a journey that's taken him from Iowa United, Dowling and Grand View all the way to Texas Tech and Cal in assistant roles and eventually to his current position as the head coach of the Fresno State women's program. A true student of the game, Zwaschka gives us some insight into how his experiences have informed his coaching style and naturally, we cover all sorts of other topics as well.

We take a slight detour from our traditional programming and visit one of our new sponsors, the Purple Poppy Boutique in Johnston. During their Sips and Shopping event, we chatted with employees and customers, but also special guests Lindsey Arnold (DWTS) and Jensen Arnold (SYTYCD). And naturally, despite our guests' focus on fashion and dancing, we still found a way to sneak in a little Soccer Talk.

Armin Mujdzic is one of the most prolific goalscorers to ever grace the pitch in Central Iowa. After relocating to Ankeny from Bosnia in the late 90's, Armin exploded onto the local high school soccer scene, scoring a boatload of goals for the Ankeny Hawks before open-enrolling to play with the Urbandale Jayhawks, whose squad was jam-packed with talent that mostly played club soccer at the Urbandale Soccer Club (Storm, Freedom, Legend, Revolution, etc.). Lots of championships and individual accolades led to nationwide attention and a short stint at University of Alabama-Birmingham, but ultimately, being close to family was most important to him. After a successful career at Grand View and with the Des Moines Menace, Armin still bangs in goals in the local Sunday league and rumor on the street is that he has at least one child who has inherited his nose for goal.

Without soccer (or anything for that matter) happening, we've gone back to our roots and loaded up the Legends' Series. Today, Norwalk native and Drake alum, Luke Frieberg, joins us on the pod to talk about his family as pioneers of the soccer scene in Norwalk, the different coaches that have influenced him over the years and how all of it comes together in his career as an entrepreneur. Plus, some great anecdotes from his time with the Urbandale Revolution and Drake Bulldogs, not to mention helping put the one and only star on the Des Moines Menace badge.

As soccer-less life continues, we're still finding ways to talk soccer. Our good friend and stud soccer player, Sam Holmes, joins us today to discuss his soccer journey, what its like to be coached by your father and of course, his Paralympic National Team exploits. Sam's soccer travels have taken him all over the country, not to mention the world, but he'll also touch on playing for the Roosevelt Roughriders, Des Moines Wanderers FC and which Holmes he would select in backyard 2v2 battle royale!

Anyone you want to hear during our Quarantine Interview series? Slide into our DMs with suggestions!!

Strange times in the world today, but never fear, more Soccer Talk is here!

Today we have a conversation with a good friend of the pod and all-around soccer renaissance woman, Anna Tuuri. Sadly, we couldn't have her in to the studio, due to social distancing guidelines, but we had a nice video chat. Not only does Anna play (goalkeeper) and referee, but she's also a budding coach...oh yeah! and she has her own podcast, Keep the Game Beautiful. Anna is quite the roll model for women everywhere - she puts herself out there with confidence and carries herself like a professional. We enjoyed it! Hopefully you do too!

If you have any ideas for our Quarantine Interview Series, slide into our DMs!