Our final interview from the United Soccer Coaches Convention sees Absalom Solorio join the pod! Absalom serves as the Digital Marketing Specialist for United Soccer Coaches and the guy in charge of setting up podcast row at the convention! Absalom is a former soccer player at Niagara and Drake Universities, as well as MASL side KC Comets. Todd and Absalom talk about how Absalom first got into soccer, growing up in Sporting KC's academy, playing in college, and professionally for KC Comets. They end the episode talking about working for United Soccer Coaches and what goes into setting up a convention. 

How Absalom got into soccer: [2:55]

Absalom's college soccer career: [6:50]

Playing professionally for KC Comets: [9:08]

Supporting Sporting KC: [12:40]

Working for United Soccer Coaches: [14:58]

Challenges setting up a convention: [17:06]

Selecting participants for Podcast Row: [18:19]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Absalom Social Media:

Twitter: @Absalom_solorio

Instagram: @absalom_solorio

Our second to latest podcast episode sees Author Tim Schum join the podcast to talk about his connection to the sport of soccer. Tim also discusses the connection Pennsylvania, and in particular, Philadelphia, had on growing the sport of soccer here in America. With the likes of Robert W. Robinson, Lower Merion High School (PA), Walter Chyzowych, Philadelphia Textile University, Wake Forest University, Donald Yonker, Drexel University, and Earle C. Waters, West Chester University all playing a vital role.

Tim Schum is a retired professor of Physical Education. He coached the men’s soccer team at Binghamton (NY) University for 29 years. Upon retirement from coaching in 1992, the Colonial men had achieved a 259-125-43 record, including eight NCAA Tournament appearances and selection to eight ECAC Tournaments. The Colonials won two ECAC titles and were six-time State University of New York Athletic Conference champions. Holder of a US Soccer “B” Coaching License, Tim was a senior staff member of the NSCAA Coaching Academy and served as an Olympic Development coach for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association. He served as president of the National Soccer Coaches of America (1982-83) and was presented the organization’s Honor Award in 1994 as well as inducted to its Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Where to get the book:

relentless-tim-schum

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Returning to the podcast is Philadelphia Union goalkeeper coach Phil Wheddon! Todd and Phil discuss a wide variety of topics that include: Sharing information with others, playing down in Charlotte during a hurricane, LAFC v Philadelphia Union final, fan atmosphere, drafting Holden Trent, Andrew Rick's future at the club, who would be in Phil Wheddon's 5-a-side team, could a 5-a-side team of Phil, Jim Curtin, Frank Leicht, Brandon Comisky, and Ryan Richter beat a 5-a-side team of Union players, and thoughts on MLS' potential playoff changes.

Sharing coaching information with other's: [1:09]

3 foundations young goalkeepers should know: [2:38]

Using different innovation equipment: [3:03]

Playing Charlotte during a hurricane: [4:34]

Expactations for the Union: [5:22]

The atmosphere at Subaru Park: [7:48]

Holden Trent: [9:27]

Andrew Rick: [15:27]

What goalkeeper would Phil Wheddeon like to work with: [17:18]

Phil Wheddon's 5-a-side Union team: [20:43]

Could a 5-a-side team of the coaches + Brandon Comisky beat a Union 5-a-side team: [22:18]

Would you bring back the MLS penalties of old: [22:58]

MLS considered changing their playoffs, according to reports:[23:34]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Phil's Social Media:

Twitter: @PhilWheddon

Instagram: @philwheddon

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast for the first time since his appearance on Full Time Podcast is Kevin Pettit of LADS (Loud Americans Discussing Soccer)! Todd and Kevin talk EA Sports FIFA, LADS Podcast, MLS, the Union, and supporting local soccer!

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Kevin's Social Media:

Twitter: @KevinJPettit3

Twitter: @LADS_Podcast

Instagram: @ladspodcast

LADS Podcast

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast is legendary US commentator JP Dellacamera! 

Why MISL: [1:00]

Could MASL reach the MISL glory days: [2:42]

Potential for Philadelphia Kixx to be back: [4:23]

Should Baltimore Blast change stadiums: [4:56]

Supporters culture in MASL: [6:23]

Potential partnerships: [7:49]

Player movement from indoor soccer to outdoor: [9:45]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast is USMNT Legend Alexi Lalas! We discuss how Alexi got into soccer, the 2022 MLS season, where MLS will be in 10-20 years, excitement around the 2023 Women's World Cup, Greg Berhalter v Reyna's, and Pique's 7v7 league!

2022 Philadelphia Union season: [0:50]

MLS Cup Final: [1:49]

MLS/Apple TV deal: [2:50]

2022 MLS season: [4:19]

2023 Women's World Cup: [6:00]

No more single host countries for World Cup potentially: [7:34]

Berhalter v Reyna's: [8:42]

Where MLS will be in 10-20 years: [11:00]

Pique's 7v7 league: [13:08]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast is MLS Insider, Tom Bogert! Tom joins the podcast to discuss his college soccer playing days, how he started working for MLS, building connections, any stories he regretting breaking, where MLS can be in 10-20 years, will Brenner start the season with FC Cincinnati, Union linked with Joaquin Torres, and why MLS teams might start following the Union's model.

How Tom Got Into Soccer: [0:53]

Tom's soccer career: [2:21]

How Tom started working with MLS: [4:31]

Building connections: [6:37]

Change to MLS buying/selling players: [9:31]

Where MLS can be in 10-20 years: [12:05]

Will Brenner start the season with FC Cincinnati: [16:26]

Joaquin Torres linked to the Union: [21:33]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

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Tom's Social Media:

Twitter: @tombogert

Instagram: @tombogertsoccer

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast is former Maryland University and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Thorne Holder. Thorne discusses playing soccer at the University of Maryland, signing for Philadelphia Union in 201, and memories from that team, including the Everton friendly!

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Thorne's Social Media:

Instagram: @thorneholder

Instagram: @holderkeeper

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast for the very first time is Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin! Jim discusses what the preseason has looked like so far for the Union, how Andres Perea is fitting in with the team, the plan with Jose Riasco, switching to a three-in-the-back formation, Jim's ability to develop coaches, what former Philadelphia Union player would Jim take in their prime, and who would win in a match between the 2003 Chicago Fire or 2023 Philadelphia Union?

Andre Perea: [1:10]

Pre-season: [2:45]

Jose Riasco: [5:45]

Playing 3-in-the-back: [7:10]

Developing coaches: [8:11]

2003 Chicago Fire v 2023 Philadelphia Union: [10:12]

What former Philadelphia Union player would you sign in their prime: [11:33]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Live from the Philadelphia Convention center; it's United Soccer Coaches Convention week! Joining the podcast for the very first time is Brotherly Games, Greg Oldfield! Todd, Greg, and Billy take a look at the 2022 Philadelphia Union season and discuss if it was a failure or not? Greg gives his thoughts on the atmosphere at Banc of California Stadium as he went out to cover MLS Cup. The guys also discuss any upcoming trips for the 2023 season and the concern of lack of depth on the current roster.

Greg's work with Brotherly Game: [2:55]

Thoughts on the 2022 season: [6:00]

Was 2022 a success: [7:50]

Banc of California Atmosphere: [11:29]

Lack of Depth: [13:07]

Away trips planned: [16:17]

Social Media:

Twitter: @FreeKickPod

Instagram: @FreeKickPod

Facebook: @FreeKickPod

thefreekick.net

Greg's Social Media:

Twitter: @GregOldfield21

Twitter: @BrotherlyGame

https://www.gregoldfield.com/