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The boys welcome Alex Greive into the studio this week following his recent move to San Antonio. The New Zealand International discusses all things in his career to date, and how he ended up in San Antonio after taking a less conventional route to get there. The conversation covers a range of topics including Alex's experiences in college soccer, his transition to professional play, and his time in New Zealand. They discuss the cultural differences in soccer between New Zealand and the US, as well as Alex's All Whites national team call-up and playing alongside none other than Nottingham Forest bagsman, Chris Wood. Enjoy and subscribe!

00:00 Intro & Dom's Moment For West Ham vs Arsenal...

03:34 Back In The US With San Antonio

05:53 Greivo vs Dom & Jam...

12:16 Concussion From A Trialist In Pre Season

15:26 Playing in New Zealand & COVID Stories

19:25 The Move To St. Mirren & Scottish Football

24:17 Cultural Shift: From New Zealand to Scotland

25:35 The NZ International Call-Up: Becoming An All White

30:09 A Word For Chris Wood

31:12 Scoring On Your First International Start

31:58 World Cup Aspirations

34:38 Dundee & Bohemians Experiences

38:51 Extra Time

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The boys welcome USL League One legend Aaron Walker on the pod this week. Aaron made a name for himself during his unprecedented years of success with Greenville Triumph, but now finds himself in a different role. We dig deep into what made Greenville such a special time for Aaron, from the titles to the culture. The conversation delves into the dynamics of his recent transition into a player-coach role with Tormenta, a club Jam knows very well, and learning under Coach Ian Cameron as he forms who he wants to be as a coach. We discuss the evolving landscape of football, and whether football has now become boring, with modern football being so tactic driven and players playing with much less freedom. Aaron shares insights on managing player relationships and the challenges of balancing playing and coaching roles, and as always, we finish up with Extra Time. Enjoy the show!

00:00 Intro & Subscribe To The Pod!

02:55 Aaron Walker: 2023 Off Season

06:19 Playing In The TST 2024 With Ocho Cinco

13:15 Transitioning to a Player-Coach Role With Tormenta

17:31 Learning From Ian Cameron

23:09 The Art Of Man Management

30:25 The Changing Landscape of Football Culture

34:45 Has Football Become Boring?

38:54 Aaron Walker & Greenville Triumph

46:07 2020 USL League One Championship Celebrations

52:19 Extra Time

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This week on the pod the boys welcome 2024 USL champion Jonas Feldberg. We delve into what led to such a special group that Colorado Switchbacks built in 2024, and the challenges of trying to repeat success in 2025. We discuss his journey through injury rehab, and the mental challenges staying positive during personal adversity. It wouldn’t be Colorado without discussing playing in the altitude, and the home field advantage the Switchbacks have while playing at home. Jonas shares his experiences transitioning to professional soccer from the University of Dayton, the MLS Superdraft, and his experience with FC Cincinnati playing under a legend of the game, Jaap Stam. This ones a banger!

00:00 Intro & Dom's Weekly Weather Update

03:00 Jonas Feldberg: The USL Champion's Journey

06:22 Colorado's Home Field Altitude Advantage

12:04 Switchback's Championship Celebrations

14:35 Jams Marshall Trophy Celebration Story

19:46 Goals for 2025 & Beyond With The Switchbacks

33:53 Great Goals & Shoutout Jonas's Dad!

38:31 MLS Superdraft & Playing For FC Cincinnati

46:38 Jaap Stam - Playing Under A Legend

50:13 Extra Time

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Jamil and Dom welcome New York City FC goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh into the Back Stick Studio this week! A seasoned MLS & USL goalkeeper who shares his journey through the leagues. We discuss Greg's recent move to New York City FC, the challenges (both logistical and financial) of relocating with a family to the big apple. We delve into his early career at Louisville City FC, and a crazy time playing with no coach?! Greg discusses the unique experience of being a pool goalkeeper in the MLS, the ups and downs of contract negotiations, and the importance of maintaining a strong support system in professional sports. Greg was lucky enough to share the field with legends of the game such as Nani, Lorenzo Insigne & Federico Bernardeschi, we discuss what they were like as people, sharing the locker room and swapping some brilliant stories. 

00:00 Intro & Shoutout Paco Craig!

02:50 Signing With NYCFC & Living In New York

08:36 Starting Career at Louisville City FC

14:10 Transition To Orlando City

15:11 Lou City: Winning A USL Title Without A Coach?!

22:55 The MLS Pool Goalkeeper Experience

32:52 The Harsh Reality Of Soccer Contracts & Uncertain Futures

40:56 Extra Time

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Jamil & Dom welcome Charlotte Independence captain Clay Dimick into the studio this week! We discuss Clay's off-season, and the nightmares of pre season runs. We delve deep into his journey back from a serious double cervical surgery and the incredible challenges Clay and his family had to overcome. All of this led to being awarded the 2024 Comeback Player Of The Year Award, for his incredible comeback, captaining Charlotte Independence and playing every single minute in 2024. Clay shares insights on his leadership style, the support he received during his recovery, and his trophy aspirations for the upcoming 2025 USL League One Season. As always, we round off by taking Clay through extra time, where we discover Clay's “Special Appreciation” for adult beverages… Enjoy!

00:00 Intro & Pre Season Nightmares

07:57 2024 Comeback Player Of The Year

11:07 Life Changing Spinal Injury Rehab & Recovery

16:29 Clay's Lowest Moment (Which We Can Laugh At Now)

18:40 Charlotte Independence & Charlotte Community Support

24:46 USL Championship Early Years At Charlotte Independence

27:41 Transfer Collapsed Over Covid Vaccine?!

33:23 New Contract & Trophy Aspirations For Charlotte

40:09 Extra Time

46:49 3 West Virginia Alliance Alum's On The Show!

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Jaylin Lindsey joins the boys in the Back Stick studio this week! Jaylin shares his journey from being a homegrown talent at Sporting Kansas City to moving home to play for Charlotte FC. The boys sit down and discuss football rivalries, Fantasy Premier League & Jaylin's experiences in the U17 World Cup & U17 CONCACAF. We divulge into the incredible atmosphere of Charlotte FC's inaugural season and being the hometown hero soaking up all the special nights for Jaylin in Charlotte.

He reflects on the importance of staying grounded and the unpredictable nature of a football career, offering insights for young players navigating similar paths. He also shares details on his new venture into Twitch streaming. He emphasizes the importance of personal branding for athletes and the opportunities available to connect with fans beyond the pitch. And culminates in sharing stories of facing some of the greatest in the game, Leo Messi and Vini Jr to name a couple… 

00:00 Intro

01:33 Liverpool vs Man United Rivalry

05:56 Fantasy Premier League and Group Chats

09:34 The First Player Born In 2000's To Debut In America

10:51 World Cup & CONCACAF With USMNT

11:55 Facing England and Notable Players

15:15 The Day Jam Faced Marcus Edwards...

16:45 Homecoming to Charlotte FC

21:55 SKC Injury Troubles

25:45 Exploring Future Europe Opportunities

33:43 Jaylin Lindsey The Twitch Streamer

42:46 Extra Time

46:36 Facing Messi & Vini Jr

53:46 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

56:04 One Last Bit Of West Ham Banter For Dom…

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Jamil & Dom welcome Alex Bamford, captain of the Marshall University Men's Soccer team into the Back Stick Studio this week. We discuss Alex's journey from London to playing college soccer in the US, the challenges and triumphs of the NCAA tournament, and the unique culture of soccer at Marshall. We reflect on the impact of Head Coach Chris Grassie, and some of the things that make him such a special coach. We discuss the importance of timing in sports especially in football, the camaraderie among players, and the passionate support of the incredible Marshall University fan base. Alex shares personal anecdotes about his teammates and reflects on the significance of his college career, culminating in a bittersweet run to the college cup.

00:00 Is Alex Really From London?

07:03 UK School Football Bragging Rights

10:50 Recruitment & Early Marshall Soccer Days

20:10 2024 Marshall College Cup Run

29:43 Playing 'The Marshall Way'

32:01 Video Session Nightmares

37:54 Extra Time

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FC Tulsa’s new signing Kalil El Medkhar joins the boys in the studio this week! A former college standout with the University of Kentucky, we explore his college career, as well as his already impressive professional career with MLS powerhouse FC Dallas, to Loudoun United and his more recent signing with FC Tulsa. The conversation covers Kalil's transition from college soccer to the professional game, his experiences with team dynamics, and the challenges of playing at a professional level compared to college soccer. We discuss the importance of team chemistry, the impact of college rivalries, and the complexities of MLS contracts. Kalil shares insights on his playing style, expectations for the upcoming season, and reflects on his college career, highlighting the significance of teamwork and personal growth.

00:00 Intro & West Ham's New Manager

02:48 2025 FC Tulsa Expectations

06:09 Loudoun United & DMV Living

08:15 Kalil's Playing Style, Cody Gakpo?

12:06 Kentucky Mens Soccer Reflections

18:19 Marshall vs Kentucky Soccer Rivalry

23:54 FC Dallas Reflections

26:22 Will MLS Ever Be A Top 5 League?

30:37 FC Dallas Reflections

38:41 Extra Time with Kalil Elmedkhar

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Skelts is back for part 2, reflecting on the successes and challenges of the inaugural 2023 season with One Knoxville, emphasizing the importance of implementing a strong team culture, communication on and off the field, and building for the future of the club. He discusses the impact of losing long standing coach Mark Mckeever midway through 2024, and what effect that had on team dynamics and the growth of the club. The conversation also touches on defining success for One Knoxville and the significance of personal achievements in football, including playing for England Schoolboys and winning a national title. And trying to volley a certain USMNT international as he was being danced around… 

00:00 2023 Breakout Season

02:37 One Knox Defensive Unit

04:31 Reaction to Mckeever Exit

06:35 Jam's Red Card vs Skelts

13:59 What Makes a Good USL1 Team?

17:01 What is Success for Skelton & One Knoxville

20:13 Mark McKeever's Impact on Player Development

24:59 Extra Time

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One Knoxville captain Jordan Skelton joins the boys in the Back Stick studio this week! In a lively conversation with Jordan, we share his journey from the UK to the US. From England Schoolboys, to captaining an ambitious USL League One club in One Knox. The discussion covers various themes including the cultural differences in football between the two countries, the challenges of communication due to the thickest geordie accent of all time, and the pressures of professional football. Jordan reflects on his early influences, the competitive landscape of football, and the importance of leadership and communication on the pitch. He also opens up about his struggles with mental health, the impact of injuries, nearly falling out of professional football completely, and his journey to finding joy in the beautiful game again. 

00:00 Intro

01:18 US vs UK Weather

02:47 Geordie Accent in America

07:11 Fabregas, Arsenal & Newcastle

09:13 Different Pathways to Professional Football in the UK

18:31 Leadership on the Pitch

24:50 Different Types of Leaders in Football

25:44 Reflections on Leadership Style

29:30 North Carolina FC Reflections

31:53 College & PDL

35:04 Agent caused 1st Year Pro Contract to Fall Through

37:03 Fighting Injuries in PDL Again

40:39 Overcoming Adversity in Pursuit of Professional Football

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