Episode 200 of the Urban Pitch Podcast is here, and it's a special one. We wanted to discuss the evolving soccer culture in the United States, and couldn't think of two better people to do it with than Denise Jones and Eli Lesser! Having both been in the soccer and media spaces for quite some time, both Denise and Eli have a unique insight and voice on all things soccer, and they join us for a fun conversation that covers everything from the 2026 World Cup to the overall experience of the American soccer fan. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did, and here's to 200 more!

Timestamps

(00:00:30) Celebrating 200 episodes

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Madison Curry quickly went from unheralded prospect to everyday starter for Angel City FC in her rookie season. After signing with the Seattle Reign in free agency ahead of the 2025 season, her journey as a starter continues, having played in every minute of the team's first three games.

She's found a new home in Seattle, one where she can flourish in a different playing style that suits her offensive capabilities as a wing back, while also connecting to the beautiful scenery and nature away from the pitch. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss how she's settled into her new team and city, how the league has changed in the short time she's been in it, and her experience going from Princeton to the pro ranks.

Timestamps

(01:41) Signing with Seattle after her rookie season with Angel City FC, and getting settled with her new team

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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The USMNT's recent CONCACAF Nations League crash out once again shows that there's still plenty of work cut out for this "Golden Generation." We break down the loss to Panama in the semis, then get into if the squad needs to go all-out in the Gold Cup. Then, we get into the upcoming Club World Cup and the opening stages of the US Open Cup!

(00:33) The USMNT's loss to Panama and the team's disappointment

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

As the 2025 NWSL season kicked off last weekend, the action on the pitch was only matched by the hype surrounding the new jersey releases. We go through each team's new jersey and rank them in a tiered list. Where did your team end up?

(01:50) Some background behind the 2025 NWSL kits

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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"New year, new me."

That's the mantra that 17-year-old Angel City FC forward Casey Phair has going into the 2025 NWSL season. The youngest player on the team, Phair was understandably a bit shy throughout her rookie season, but now with a year of experience under her belt, she's ready to make an impact in year two. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her growth as a player during the offseason, bonding with her fellow young teammates, and learning valuable lessons from veterans like Christen Press and Sydney Leroux.

In addition, we chat about her experience on the South Korean national team, and getting to hang out in Los Angeles' Koreatown.

Timestamps

(01:15) Angel City FC's outlook for 2025 and Casey's growth

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

The last time we had Jeremy Ebobisse on the podcast, he was bagging goals for the San Jose Earthquakes. Just over a year later, he's made the trip to Southern California with LAFC, where he's already scored a pivotal goal in the club's 2025 season opener.

He re-joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his move to LA, the vibes in the LAFC locker room, and helping those around him to succeed as much as possible.

Timestamps

(01:04) Getting adjusted to Los Angeles and thoughts on his new club

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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The 2025 MLS season kicked off over the weekend, which means we got a slew of new kits to parse over. We take a look at some of the best and worst new releases, while also looking ahead at what should be another fantastic season.

In addition, we go over the recent USL division 1 application news, and take a look at if the country is ready for another top flight. Could pro/rel finally be coming to the U.S.?

Timestamps

(01:33) USL's division 1 ambitions and the possibility of pro/rel in the United States

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Holding down the back line for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League, Allison Pantuso and Samantha Rosette have been valuable veteran presences for the new club in the startup league. Currently sitting in first place heading into the spring half of the 2024-25 season, Brooklyn has emerged as one of the strongest clubs both on and off the pitch in the Super League.

They drop by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the experience of joining a first-year club, their midseason trip to Italy, and the vibes of playing in the heart of New York City.

(01:13) Brooklyn FC's midseason trip to Italy

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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Since making his debut with the Portland Timbers at 18 in 2017, Marco Farfan has become a staple in MLS, and has found a solid role with FC Dallas. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss turning pro while he was still in high school, his thoughts on the 2025 season, and the challenges of playing for a new coach.

Timestamps

(00:55) Preseason vibes and the hype for the 2025 season

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

The winter transfer window has heated up, with big moves on both the men's and women's side of things. After an injury-filled spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar is making his return to Brazil and his childhood club, Santos. Elsewhere, Naomi Girma became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer, joining Chelsea and bolstering a super-team that also features fellow USWNT stars Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel.

We get into all of this and more on the latest Urban Pitch Podcast episode, in addition to discussing the jam-packed league phase of the Champions League, Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy, and more moves across the world of football.

Timestamps

(01:02) Neymar's return to Santos

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.